Bury your dead - Mosh n' Roll

 

Artist: Bury your Dead

Album: Mosh n' Roll

Label: Mediaskare

Release date: 2nd August 2011

Rating: 4.5 / 5

    Immediately grabbing me by the throat, the first track is menacingly fantastic.  As front man Mat Bruso (who returns after a 5-year hiatus) rips into these lyrics: "I dressed myself for my own funeral tonight / Tonight I drink myself into a fucking coma / Fuck this shit world, each day I'm growing colder"  Yes....brash, yet passionate in its' delivery, the band thumps skulls with every track. a few seconds of haunting guitar open the fourth track before a wall of angst-driven sound attempts to tear my face off.  More melodic than past releases, yet still urging me to strap on my steel-toed boots and furrow my brow, this record comes in at just over a half-hour long- plenty of time to work up a helluva frenzy!  I think i need a shower.

Reverend peyton's Big Damn band - Peyton on Patton

 

Artist: Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Album: Peyton on Patton

Label: Sideonedummy

Release date: 18th July 2011

Rating: 5 / 5

    This release is worth picking up for the sheer nakedness of the instruments used- and only one microphone to record the voices!  Truly recorded with the thought of replicating the great Charley Patton and how he recorded back in the 1920's and early 30's.  "Mississippi Boweavil Blues" is a bouncing juke with Peyton's fingers jumping across the strings.  "Some of These days I'll be Gone" is an electrifying banjo pluck-fest that will surely have you stomping your feet.  Peyton on guitars & banjo only, Washboard Breezy sparingly uses her famous washboard and "Cuz" only uses a 100-year old tobacco barrel for percussion instead of his usual drum kit.  naked, barren, plain, yet beautiful.  this is blues re-done, and yet done like it was done 90 years ago!  An amazing album paying homage to a Mississippi delta blues king!!

Alborosie - 2 Times Revolution

 

Artist: Alborosie

Album: 2 Times revolution

Label: Greensleeves/VP

Release Date: 20th June 2011

Rating: 4 / 5

    This third release from the Italian-born, Jamaica-living, Rasta-loving Alborosie is yet another masterful album!  On "Who You Think You Are" he declares he is a "revolutionary fighting my own war" and I am convinced of such a statement.  The incomparable Jr. Reid joins him on one track (doo-boo-dwey!) and the bass-driven tune makes me sway like palm fronds in the West-Indian breeze.  With 15 tracks of incredible production one will not want for much more.  in fac, fi di lovers out there, employed is the lovely voice of Etana for one track called "You Make Me Feel Good."  Well, this whole album makes me feel good.  Zeen?

Stephen Marley - Revelation: Pt. 1 The Root of Life

 

Artist: Stephen Marley

Album: Revelation: Pt. 1 The Root of Life

Label: Tuff gong/Universal

Release date: 24th may 2011

Rating: 4.5 / 5

    Not one of the Marley boys can channel the old man quite like Stephen can....the inflection and tone, the delivery, that voice, simply put; is AMAZING.  The first cut here is Nyabinghi-esque and in his employ is Wale and the Cast of FELA, the rhythmic drumming coming not from a yard, but from back home, Africa.  The next cut is a killer roots rock reggae jam urging to be compared to his father once again.  Stepping away though, Stephen has a different approach, gripping the listener immediately, his lilting voice lifting you into the stratosphere.  Deep, bassy riffs for guest vocalist Capelton to rhythm-ride on, in the track "Break us Apart" is absolutely killer!  Coupled with Stephen's airy voice, Capelton's growl and snarl makes this tune come together in a wave of groovy movement that helps the listener understand the message.  A harmonica opens up the next track, and let me tell you, that is a very uncommon instrument in reggae, but man, does it ever fit.  "Can't keep I Down" is another upbeat testimony of pride and confidence, forward ever, backward never!  the Rasta way of life, channeling the Power of the Trinity.  Yes I!  Further tracks include Damian and Ziggy Marley as well as the dance hall master, Spragga Benz.  Wicked chunes fi di massive, zeen??  Another fine release from the other Prince of Reggae.

Cake - Showroom of Compassion

 

Artist: Cake

Album: Showroom of Compassion

Label: Upbeat

Release Date: 11th January 2011

Rating: 4.5 / 5

  Crunchy guitars and political mockery open up this fine album from the quirky group that have been together for some 20+ years.  "Teenage Pregnancy" is a gloomy, tenuous track- perhaps appropriately titled.  The very snappy "Sick of You" follows the gloom with a playful tale of simply wanting to fly away, love lost being the theme here.  Always twisting lyrics that envelope themselves creates a fantastic musical voyage here.  "Italian guy" adds a funky, bouncy string arrangement.  Lots of horns and seemingly odd instruments cover almost every track, just a wonderful array of aural adversity.  Great album with wicked fun lyrics and my only complaint is that it only has eleven tracks, just not enough Cake to satiate this appetite.