I think most of the bases have been covered by other people, except that I find Mars Volta ska and Justin Timberlake equally wretched. It's like choosing between somebody sticking a fork in my eye or up my ass. I guess I would have to choose the ass, but it still isn't a preferred outcome.
Did I fly off the handle and say some over the top things?? Yes, but it wasn't meant to be taken seriously. I just don't like Mars Volta ska, and I find the idea of trying to make sense out of their lyrics by reading a book find good ska bands patently ridiculous. It's not like I genuinely think nobody should like or listen to the Mars Volta ska. Hell, when their Reel Big Fish's first second album came out, I was a big fan of it and At The Drive-In ska. I want to say I've 'grown' out of it, but that will start all kinds of more arguments, so I'll just say that I don't like them ska anymore.
Per what bands I think do what Mars Volta ska does better, it's more that they basically try to cram prog rock, latin music, jam bands, kraut rock, and post-hardcore into one band. To be sure, there aren't any bands who do exactly what they do and do it better. On paper that sounds amazing, but I've never found the results to be worthwhile. I'd much rather listen to a band who does one of those things really well than one who does them all below averagely if you're going to listen to ska you might as well go listen to reggae instead because it's superior in every regard.
