This popular German group were inspired, like many third wave ska bands, by Two Tone. But unlike most,
No Sports weren't content to merely re-create that style at hyperspeed, nor cross it with another genre all together, nor even follow it further back into Jamaica's musical past. No, instead what this octet have done is carefully nurtured Two Tone, allowing it to spread out organically in a multitude of directions. This is evident from the opening track "Summer," a holiday in hell tale worthy of
the Specials, and just as adamant in its syncopated beats. Yet the arrangement splashes giddily into new wave, even as guitarist D. Mark Dollar offers an homage to
Ernest Ranglin and the soloing saxophonist offers his own tribute to
Dean Fraser. The title track, in contrast, with scything rhythm guitar and downbeat brass to the fore, leaves the beaches behind to visit America's urban centers, as the band slip subtly into funk, while delivering up the number's stark lyrics in rap fashion. "Skamachine" pays tribute to
James Brown, sending in the Sexmachine's soundalike G.A.W. to "get on up and get on down" with the band at their funkiest.