Bums Lie

Recorded live, Stumblin' & Mumblin' is a clean, punk-y reggae album cut from the same cloth as Sublime or King Django. Leadoff track "Brokedown Soldier" is a little melodramatic, but "Edge of Civilization," even with its 20-dollar title, lightens things up quickly with its fun, fast-paced tale of midday drinking that brings to mind the B-52S. "Just a Game" and "You Do Me Wrong" reach back to old school ska for inspiration, but the latter convincingly adds a ukulele to the mix. But it is "Captivating" that caused me to fall in love with this album. Sure, it's a sappy love song, but it's so damn good. Picture Joe Strummer crooning on one knee; it's that good. The album includes studio versions of three tracks as well.