Bedouin Soundclash Sounding A Mosaic
  full reviewuser ratings (90) 
Tracklist:
1. When the Night Feels My Song
2. Shelter
3. Living in Jungles
4. Money Worries
5. Gyasi Went Home
6. Shadow of a Man
7. Jeb Rand
8. Criminal
9. Murder on the Midnight Wire
10. Music My Rock
11. Rude Boy Don't Cry
12. Immigrant Workforce
13. Nothing to Say
14. Money Worries [E-Clair Refix]
15. Rude Boy Abroad [Lazare Breakdub]

Ranking: #89 for 2004

user rating
3.9
excellent
Chart.
other reviews
Andrew Kotick EMERITUS (4.5)
...
Chris Maziejka (3.5)
...

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  On 10 Lists

5.0
classic
BuddahFist USER (1 Reviews)

2005-06-15 | 42 comments | 11,006 views

3 of 3 thought this review was well written

The Police. The Clash. Sublime. Bands that were able to bring a reggae influence and push it into mainstream audiences. Though it would be easy to compare this band, Bedouin Soundclash with the aforementioned, it wouldn't necessarily be fair. While bands like the Police and The Clash had played reggae songs, Bedouin is a reggae band. They focus on the roots of the genre, while expanding it to fit their own unique sound.

Another unfair comparison would be that of lead singer and guitarist, Jay Malinowski's vocal stylings, very Marley-esque. This can be agreed by all that although very flattering, would bring on a world of pressure. But still you can't help but feel Marley's spirit on the acoustic driven songs "Jeb Rand" and the single "When The Night Feels My Song". But don't be fooled by the soft side of Bedouin's sound, they bring the energy as well. An ode to Buju Banton and other modern day DJ's is thrown down with a fire and passion that is all too convincing on the stereo-thumping "Living in Jungles" where the drums take full command and allow drummer, Pat Pengelly to shine through with his Stewart Copeland like versatility.

The energy continues on the pounding "Murder On the Midnight Wire" and the albums's closing track "Rude Boy Abroad". The band also finds time to pay homage to the rock steady classic that is the Maytone's "Money Worries" that warrants a guest slot with Vernon maytone himself. With an appearance such as this you can really do no wrong and it really shows Bedouin's knowledge of what they do. Tossing into the mix, giving the nod to the 2 Tone era is "Nothing To Say" and "Rude Boy's Don't Cry" bringing up the comparison to the Specials, which is somewhat fitting, but with Bedouin's fantastic song writing, I would say they are much more comparable to The English Beat.

You can't go without mentioning the domination of Eon Sinclair's pulsating bass. On songs "Shadow Of A Man" and "Crimninal" the bass takes centre stage, nothing fancy, just flowing bass lines that are full of force. The bass definately stands out in this Canadian bred trio's attack, but Mr. Sinclair doesn't seem to have to try and make it that way, these guys play reggae like it is suppose to be played. With the bass heavy, the ska style strokes of the guitar plenty and versatile drumming, these young musicians bring a ton of maturity, leaving you wanting more and waiting for more from the new torch carriers of the reggae sound.

With a mix of soulful wailing, bragadocious toasting, and thought provoking story telling, Jay Malinowski proves that he is a definate force to be reckoned with as an up and coming song writer. It is not often when someone can bring reggae to the table and have a steady following of white college kids locked in to his/her every move. Race set aside, this band proves that good music is good music. And wether you choose to accept their offer of eclectic stylings is up to you.

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Comments:Add a Comment 
Iai
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 3188
06.16.05

Album Rating: 3.5

Did you mean to suggest Louden Up Now as a recommended album, or was it a mistake?

Digging: Shpongle - Ineffable Mysteries From Shpongleland

Med57
Moderator


Comments: 998
06.16.05


It may well be a mistake...that happened on some albums that got reviewed on sputnik when it was in its infant stages for some reason. I can't do anything about it thought. :-/

Iai
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 3188
09.07.05

Album Rating: 3.5

Saw these guys at Reading, and they KILLED.

Gonna pick this one up at the first opportunity.

blueduck5000


Comments: 14
09.07.05

Album Rating: 5

Probably the best CD I've ever bought from a show

vicy77


Comments: 164
11.24.05


they SUK!!! i have a serious problem with his singing. I want to shove pinecones down his throat and set him on fire. Otherwise the music would be goodThis Message Edited On 11.24.05

Zesty Mordant


Comments: 1196
11.26.05

Album Rating: 4.5

great album, very laid-back mood and the rhythms are very tight.

Since they're a Canadian band, every radiostation in the country is starting to whore out "When the Night Feels My Song", which kinda sucks 'cause its ruining it for me. "Jeb Rand", "Living in Jungles", and "Rude Boy Don't Cry" are probably my favorites.

AfroMan


Comments: 101
01.18.06


Nice and refreshing
I really like this

NEDM


Comments: 1113
01.20.06

Album Rating: 5

I saw a commercial for this and got it immediatley. It's really great music.

Cocaine
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 7130
01.22.06

Album Rating: 3

It's great to relax to, but it's brutally overrated. Especially in Toronto. I don't know, they're an alright band but I dont see what sets them apart from other bands of the genre.

Digging: A Forest of Stars - The Corpse of Rebirth

Two-Headed Boy


Comments: 4506
01.22.06

Album Rating: 4.5

i actually can't stand these guys. the guys voice is just so annoying, and i can't understand i word he says. good review, but anything close to 5 is severely over-rated.

Digging: Electric Wizard - Dopethrone

Zesty Mordant


Comments: 1196
01.23.06

Album Rating: 4.5

They're overrated just because they happen to be getting alot of airplay, as Canadian radio, due to federal regulations permitting a certain percentage of Canadian artists to be featured, are currently whoring them out.

Being that I rarely listen to radio, I can say that this is a damn strong album. The music achieves simplicity yet manages to fuse together several different genres (reggae, dub, pop-punk, folk, dancehall) into a very original brand of music. The vocals are excellent and the harmonizing has a very professional edge.

Plus its produced by the bassist from Bad Brains. I mean c'mon.
This Message Edited On 01.23.06

Iai
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 3188
01.24.06

Album Rating: 3.5

Not a bad song on here. Damn impressive record.

morrissey
Moderator


Comments: 1563
01.25.06


I haven't heard this album, and this comment is based only on the lead single, but I cannot stand that song. I do not see the attraction at all. But I'd need to hear the rest of the album before I can officially say I dislike them.

Digging: Taylor Swift - Fearless

Morvit


Comments: 71
01.25.06


i KEEP SEEING "When the Night Feels My Song" on muchmusic.... really can't see how this band is good listenin to the lead single. like morrissey, i guess ill have to listen to the whole album before i can hate them

Iai
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 3188
01.25.06

Album Rating: 3.5

To be honest, the rest of the record is a bit darker, but not really much different.

Dave de Sylvia
Moderator


Comments: 6856
01.25.06


I wouldn't say the singer sounds more like Bob Marley than any other raggae singer; that seems like a huge simplification. I've only heard their cover of New Year's Day, which is excellent and also one of the only U2 songs I like. I like New Year's Day in general.

Digging: Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful of Sunshine

Iai
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 3188
01.25.06

Album Rating: 3.5

So much better than Christmas.

Joeeddstealschickens


Comments: 105
01.28.06

Album Rating: 3.5

I discovered this band while looking at the Streetlight Manifesto site (they were supporting them) and i got hold of some stuff. Theyre really great actually, but i agree with the reviewer that comparisons between The Police, The Clash, Bob Marley et al are unfair burdens on the group. To my ears they have a more acousticy, almost folky take on reggae, very soulful.

Anyway, nice review

Digging: Rancid - Let The Dominoes Fall

kno_kontrol


Comments: 448
02.16.06


I love this band. Don't judge them based just on "when the night feels my song". Its a good song, but there are much better songs out there by them. Shelter, Nothing to Say, Gyasi Went Home, Music my Rock, and Rude Boy Don't Cry are also excellent.

Two-Headed Boy


Comments: 4506
02.24.06

Album Rating: 4.5

Yes, Morrisey watches Arrested Development.





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