Streetlight Manifesto is a hard band to classify. They blend many genres into songs of epic length that are packed densely with so many riffs and hooks you can re-listen to their albums countless times and still notice something new. Fortunately, they have horns so we can just call them ska. Anyway, this ska band has experienced some massive trials and tribulations just trying to release these records, so we at the Hard Times figured the least we could do was perch on a throne of melted brass instruments and judge them like a ska king.

5. 99 Songs of Revolution Vol. 1 (2010)

This cover album came out when Streetlight Manifesto was vying to be released from their totally not predatory contract with Victory Records. The plan was to release like 9 of these things as they ran out the required number of albums on their record contract. We’re still waiting on 8 of ’em. In the meantime, this record is full of obscure, interesting, and unexpected covers that are a really fun listen, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the band’s original material.

Play it again: “Such Great Heights”
Skip it: “Skyscraper”

 

 

4. The Hands That Thieve (2013)

Remember when Streetlight was attempting to finish out their record contract with cover albums? Well, Victory Records wasn’t exactly into that so the band went back to finish their obligatory 5th album on the label with original material. “The Hands That Thieve” (I wonder where they got the idea for that title) is a perfect encapsulation of what Streetlight Manifesto does: write catchy, genre-defying sing-a-long anthems at blistering speed. After the album was released, the band was free to go from their contract and- oh wait, no. Victory decided the cover album didn’t count towards their contract, and when the band refused to make more music for them, Victory sued Streetlight for a million dollars and refused to release this record. While you can stream the record anywhere now, for quite some time after its “release” you could only pirate the record, which was heavily encouraged by the band.

Play it again: “The Littlest Things”
Skip it: “Toe to Toe”

3. Keasbey Nights (2006)

Ahh, what a classic. “Keasbey Nights” is, of course, the record that singer/songwriter Tomas Kalnoky made with his previous band, Catch 22. It was going to be re-released by the label under the name “Streetlight Manifesto” but the band decided to pay out of pocket to re-record it for the release. These are the same amazing songs that many have argued launched the “4th Wave” of ska. While some believe the songs on this record don’t have the same heart as the original, they are performed much tighter, plus this album includes Jim Conti’s God-tier backing vocals.

 

Play it again: “Sick and Sad”
Skip it: “This One Goes Out To…”

2. Everything Goes Numb (2003)

After quitting Catch 22 five years prior, Tomas Kalnoky returned to music with a new band and this album. Streetlight Manifesto took the next-level-ska sound Toh-Kay created on “Keasbey Nights” and refined it into the signature sound this band has been known for since. These songs are much darker than Keasbey and the passion behind them is clear with every note and lyric. One could argue that this is their best record and we’d say that’s fair but you’re also a hipster who only likes “their older stuff.”

Play it again: Failing, Flailing
Skip it: The Saddest Song

 

1. Somewhere in the Between (2007)

This is Streetlight Manifesto’s epic masterpiece about life and death and the beyond. The songs manage to be catchy earworms despite the epic length and sheer number of sections and riffs in each song. The production is uncanny and the rhythm section of Chris Thatcher and Pete McCullough is worth focusing on for entire listens of this record.

Play it again: “The Receiving End of it All”
Skip it: “One Foot on the Gas, One Foot in the Grave”