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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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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. :-/
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Probably the best CD I've ever bought from a show
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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
| | | 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.
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Nice and refreshing
I really like this
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I saw a commercial for this and got it immediatley. It's really great music.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
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.
| | | 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.
| | | 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
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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.
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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
| | | 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
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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.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Yes, Morrisey watches Arrested Development.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I love the bass lines on this cd
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I think this is a pretty awesome album, although I dont think its worth a 5 solely because Criminal gets old after a while.
Your review needs some more detail. Its pretty skimpy.
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I need to check this out.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Voice takes getting used to, but a nice quiet album I think.
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I saw them live once and they were all right.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I saw them live and thought they were nothing more than okay. Only enjoyed a couple songs from the set. They didnt really bring the energy to the show but I then again the crowd didnt recieve them well either. They all wanted Flogging Molly's punk rock. I liked their hit single from the beginning and then later heard some more of the album at a party and decided I should get it. You guys are right; everysong is amazing. I wish I could see them again now.
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