Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution is a highly underrated band. Their sound blends ska elements with, as one might imagine, acoustic guitars. Like all of Kalnoky’s projects (Streetlight Manifesto, Catch 22), BOTAR is highly focused on the horns, rather than the guitar. Their only release, A Call to Arms, is but a five song EP. The group jokingly calls themselves the “single least prolific musical group on the face of the planet.” However disappointing the length and lack of further releases is, there isn’t a single mediocre song on A Call to Arms.

It opens with the title track, “This is a Call to Arms,” an instrumental, well, call to arms, which blends seamlessly into the second track. “Here’s to Life” uses blaring horns to create the feeling of calling arms and going to war, but later in the song, adds strings and piano. Kalnoky references art and literature, specifically The Catcher in the Rye. He shouts the chorus with passion and ends the song with powerful words: “you changed my life/ but I draw the line at suicide/ so here’s to life!” The next song, “Dear Sergio:” is a cover from Catch 22’s Keasbey Nights. Kalnoky brightens up the sound. The acoustic rendition is a refreshing one, but it pales in comparison to the fourth song on the EP: “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Once again, calling on themes of war, this track heavily features horns and strings. It’s catchy, but remains serious and sincere, which Kalnoky is incredibly good at. A Call to Arms closes with “They Provide the Paint for the Picture-Perfect Masterpiece That You Will Paint on the Insides of Your Eyelids,” which lives up to its title with fast-paced vocals, blaring horns, and buried acoustic guitar. Streetlight Manifesto covered it on 99 Songs for Revolution, sped it up, and used electric rather than acoustic guitar, but this version is much cleaner sounding. One might say it’s easier to understand, but Kalnoky sings so fast, it’s difficult to understand him.

I can’t do this EP any justice, so just hear the genius blend for yourself below.

Download: A Call to Arms