i.INSIDE

For those of you who don't know, ska is a genre that came about as an evolution of punk music. Basically punk musicians wanted more, so they added horns. The horns gave the punk music a whole new feel and thus ska was born. Ska music has become traditionally catchy and fun, it has sorta become their thing. Now the original genre of punk is trying to emulate the offspring, ska.

In I.Inside's E.P. "The Mold That Shapes You," they have recorded something that sounds like ska without the horns, which you would assume would simply be punk, but it feels like ska, I can't explain it, but it doesn't remind me of punk that much at all. I don't mind , since I'm a sucker for catchy songs and ska always delivers. This seems like one of those times when we are reminded that all music is music and genres aren't so important.

Not only does I.Inside sound like ska without horns, but they sound like good ska. The opening track "Moving Picture Show," is a good example of what I've been talking about. It opens up with almost Seinfeld-like guitar riffs, then goes into the ska-like stuff I've been ranting about. It has high guitar notes at the end of phrases, like the horns would do in ska. It sounds really cool. The next song, "Waves," sounds very reggae, which is reminiscent of, you guessed it, ska. I'm sorry if I seem to be pushing this point on you, but it seems so strange to me, but so awesome at the same time. The only song on the E.P. that isn't so ska-like is "Sun Breaks Through." In this song, they seamlessly blend together the two genres and make something that is simply I.Inside. I haven't even mentioned this, but the lyrics are really good too, there is little bad I can say about them.

When I'm listening to this I really feel like I'm sitting on something amazing that I have to share with the world. I've never heard a punk band emulate ska and make it sound good without the horns. I.Inside has certainly made a genre all their own and I want to hear it fill up with other bands. Since it is such an accomplishment to make your own genre, I have to score them high, but since the genre is still in its infancy, I can't score them too high, I don't know how they fare with the currently non-existent competition. So I'm going to give them 4 out of 5 cans, but that's a flexible score, depending to what other bands decide to do in response to this.

- Bumscorner.com

This EP contains six tracks that range in tempo but are consistently solid. The songs are well crafted and have listeners moving to the beat in no time. The singer's voice flows effortlessly over the music. The band's sound is a reggae-influenced rock that can be compared to 311, but an edgier version. (KB) - Impact Press

The boys from I.Inside have worked hard to put out their EP, The Mold that Shapes Us. It is a very well put together record that shows their hard work and determination in putting out an album that is commercially friendly and also shows of their talents as musicians. The album is fuelled by ska/dub/punk and they sound much like bands who have used this combination in the past, Sublime and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The song “Waves” is very reminiscent of Sublime with ska guitars, distorted sounds and light drumming. David, the singer has a very appropriate voice to match this sound, as he half raps half sings his way through this tune. The overall effect of “Waves” is a song that is mellow and for people who enjoy bands like Sublime would love to dance and move to this particular piece of music. Like many songs on this album the lyrics to this song provide a very universal commentary on girls and the art of relationships.

A harder song on the record, “Tickets are Sold Out”, sounds a lot like Linkin Park, with more heavy guitar and louder drums. David sings and screams while still half rapping through this song about bands selling out and loosing the truth about the music. It borders on nu-metal and I’m sure many kids at their shows enjoy head banging to this song.

I.Inside keeps their sound fairly similar from one song to the next and are quite talented with their instruments. For their first album their talent does show through and they definitely show who their influences are through the sound of their music. The album seemed slightly tedious and reminded me a lot of things that have been done in the past. However for fans of bands such as Sublime, Linkin Park and 311 this would be a wonderful new spin on old favourites. - Left Hip Magazine

Here is a Lexington-based quartet whose record collection, I’d guess, contains a fair amount of 311. Their sound is straight from a So-Cal pier, circa 1995: many nods to the ska, but sadly no brass; plenty o’ distortion on the guitars, with a touch of riffage that reeks of P.O.D.-style nu-metal. On that front, thankfully, the vocals never breach the DMZ between aggressively talking and an actual effort, as a white-boy who’s not Eminem, to rap. Dude behind this mic is actually in possession of a fine pair of pipes, a fact of which he is also very aware. “Tickets Are Sold Out” is a driving chugger, but lyrically a bit of a mess: It seems like a lecture from an older brother about how to live righteously, but it also could be a lost love song, all under a mixed metaphor about one’s “tickets” being sold out. “Rule the World” has another mixed metaphor, about a violent storm stealing one’s soul, mixed with the chorus I get the feeling that I’m numb and floating face down. Of course, to be numb is to lack feeling. The band plays Dutch’s tomorrow; 10 p.m., $3, 21+. —Stephen George - LEO BEAT

It’s immediately clear from this disc that the group are made up of very good players who can all sing rings around most bands (though the vocals tend to be a bit buried in these mixes). The band’s well-placed dynamics are enhanced by their bass player’s slapping style, which adds both velocity and texture to every one of these tunes. The ska-fueled “Waves” and the funky “loslassen” are good tracks, but “Moving Picture Show” best exemplifies the superior talents of this Kentucky-based fourpiece - MUSIC CONNECTION

i_INSIDE doesn't seem to venture too far from their obvious influences 311 & Sublime on this EP full of formulaic surf/punk/pop. Half the songs have a generally downer lyrical tone over a foundation of fun sounding music anchored by high pitched guitars and an ultra-tight snare drum. There is a short guitar solo, and some tight bass work that points to a harder core that is being candy coated.

After listening to this CD a few times, it almost seems like two three song sets (songs 1,4,&6 the hard set) (songs 2,3,&5 the surf set) were put together as a shot at diversity. The harder set seemed more fresh and original; while the rest seemed to be a copycat.

The bottom line here is The Mold That Shapes You is a 50/50 deal. More like an i_INSIDE exhibit A / i_INSIDE exhibit B split EP. i_INSIDE needs to take the time to find The Mold That Shapes them. They seem to hold some promise, but need to become more secure in what their sound is & who they are - Phantom TollBooth