Hot - Squirrel Nut Zippers (1997)

SNZ were fantastic, especially on these early albums. All the fun of the bigger jump swing revival acts like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy but with better musicianship, better arrangements, and a bit less ironypunk attitude.

Somewhere between the 20s “hot jazz” movement and 40s big band swing, the whole band fires on all cylinders to deliver a great set of nostalgic ballroom-filling tracks.

Though he’s not prominent, these early records also include Andrew Bird (o_O o_O O_O) on violin, from the start of his amazing career.

Tracks I Liked

Put A Lid On It - the track that was on the CMJ disc. An instant “sold” from me, along with a slight regret that I hadn’t known who they were when I’d missed them at a local bar a few months earlier.

Hell - A big single for them, and a great tune

1990s music jazz jump swing alternative rock cmj

Vuelo Tropical
Los Diablos Rojos

Accelerate
REM