What is it with ska bands naming themselves after either the first thing they see or the first thing that comes into their head, whether it’s a relative [Uncle Brian], their local [The Lawrence Arms], a baseball bat [Zen Baseballbat] or random veggybles [Skankin’ Pickle]. Well it seems Slow Gherkin have followed the latter and what a fine name it is too. OK –the music. Roman Holiday features songs from the band’s Shed Some Skin Album, a couple of Eps & 3 previously unreleased tracks.

Although maybe a bit samey in places the ‘Gherkin do at least show some skankin’ live potential in tuneful tracks like ‘Another In Your Life’ and ‘Get Some More’. But as well as high energy ska & New wave there’s also a hefty portion of brass huffin’ & puffin’ above the swirling Hammond & hopping bass. And although the vocalist hasn’t got the most in-tune voice in the world it’s the melodies that shine out more such as the catchy ‘Shed Some Skin’ & ‘Condor’.

Personally tho’, I think most ska bands these days have to go a long way to beat the effortless class of Less Than Jake. That's not to say this is a bad effort, far from it, but it just doesn't compare to an album like Pezcore or Hello Rockview.