WRUV Reviews

Destroy Babylon is a band that takes their name from a Bad Brains song of the same name. They are described as a band with the lyrical/topical prowess of the Clash and Gang of Four mixed with a bit of Black Uhuru, Bad Brains, 60s pop and a bit of jazz fusion. They were originally from Hudson, NH and are now located in Boston, MA.

This is a promo disc and is mainly full of their FCC-friendly songs for radio play. There are two focus tracks. Culture Pirates starts out with a sixties-pop feel (as described) and then segues into a traditional roots reggae/traditional ska sound. The lyrics and the beats are very well-done for this song. Gimme Dub starts out like a traditional dub reggae song with good timing of the beats and just enough variation to make it easy to follow along with. Definitely has that Black Uhuru influence going on.

I also like the track Dub Me Out, which I can actually follow along to with the beats and the track Spectral Perceptor, which definitely has a bit of jazz fusion and a good layout of the beats. Reggae DJs should take note of this CD. I’m interested in what the full album looks like but otherwise, all songs are radio-friendly and I’d spin the hell out of them because I do like to play a bit of reggae here and there. Filed under punk/ska as well due to the lyrical influences and inclusion of a bit of ska within their style. Give this a shot.

FCC: None
Recommended Tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6
RIYL: Black Uhuru, Bad Brains, Steel Pulse

This is the sixth full-length album from this band, which has an unique sound that incorporates punk, ska, soul and reggae.

Let’s start by checking out the tracks that the label decided to point out. The first track, Doped Up Dollies On A One Way Ticket To Blood is poppy, full of punk hooks and has only a dash of ska within the sound. Not bad but kind of dull. The title track, Fluent In Stroll is similar but a nice amount of ska kicks off in the middle and has a soulful-edge to it. A bit lo-fi here. We Can Live Anywhere starts off slow and then picks up with ska, soul and a good amount of punk. Reminds me of a slowed-down version of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones (which by the way, this album is produced by their bassist Joe Gittleman).

My picks from this album are Describing the Sky, Down Around Here and Where Did All The Women Go? It’s not a bad album but you should check out all of the songs that are FCC-friendly and decide for yourself. But, if it’s the best that a near-dead genre can do, then I could find better.

FCC: 3,4,11,12,13
Recommended Tracks: 2,7 and 9
RIYL: Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dropkick Murphys, Rancid, Buck O Nine, Hepcat, etc

A bit of an awkward mix of cock-rocking garage and contemplative sensitive lover-boy tunes.  The concept is supposed the show the facets of desire, regret, love, etc.  I get that, but let’s face it, Eels are better off slow, somber, and beautiful–with a nice touch of weird.  “Fresh Blood” and “What’s a Fella Gotta Do” are the only garage-y tracks that do the sound justice.

RIYL King Khan and the Shrines, Beck

Sugg# 2, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12

This is a local ska band that plays shows at various clubs around Burlington. They have played with Bedouin Soundclash and other bands. Their music is described as influenced by 2Tone Ska, reggae and even punk-infused ska.

The album starts off with the song Up Beat, Beat Down which starts off with a scratchy, raw feel that is reminiscent of Operation Ivy in nature with a good tempo to it. Outcast keeps the beat going with more of the raw sound that I like but it has a Clash-like feel to it. Ghost Stories has a good beat too and is reminiscent of third-wave ska such as Buck O Nine and Reel Big Fish.  Ska Beat carries on the awesome 2Tone influence.

Overall, this is a great album that in my opinion, is helping to usher in the fourth-wave of ska. It’s raw, it’s back-to-basics and it’s got a good mix of the various elements that made ska popular in the first place. Please check this out and play the hell out of it! All songs are FCC-friendly.

FCC:None
Recommended Tracks: 1,4,7,10
RIYL: Specials, Operation Ivy, Madness, Reel Big Fish, Toasters

… The Church have made 23 albums?! And wait, this one is maybe one of their best?  Yup.

Shimmering pads and guitars are accompanied by Steve Kilby’s over-reverbed voice to create gloomy, eerie tunes.  This album has some psychedelic/spacy touches and is highly pessimistic in its outlook on life, but its still a euphonious treat for your ears.

RIYL Echo and the Bunnymen, Psychedelic Furs

Sugg# 2, 5, 6, 7, 9

FCC Sterile

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Heavily influenced by the vocal stylings of Tom Waits, this bluesy, raw, and powerful duo combination of keyboard and drums is a breath of fresh air.  These guys are just great musicians making great music.

RIYL Tom Waits, Blues, Garage Rock

Sugg# 6, 2,1, 9

FCC# 3, 7 (great songs!)

Black Diamond Heavies - Stitched in Sin

Folk-rock meets tinges of electronica and dance.  A highly eclectic album full of up-beat drum grooves, lo-fi male vocals with a bit of a laid-back twang and a saucy swagger.  This album isn’t trying to blow away any sonic laws, but manages to juxtapose some interesting sounds… like cheerleader chants (think Go Team!) electronic beats, and at times almost Beck-esque vocals.

Sugg# 1, 6, 3, 7, 8

FCC# 4

Catchy pop-rock out of Iceland. Decent, but nothing mind-blowing here.

Try: 2, 5……………..FCC clean

“Blending folk, bluegrass, gospel, and good old rock and roll…” Label on cd is accurate

Try: 2, 6*, 9*……………FCC: 3

Local singer/songwriter teamed up with a band of great locals, Crown Pilot, for the new album – it’s more rockin’ and electric than his previous alt-country album, but the twang’s still there.  “Country from the North Country”.  (You might recognize his voice if you go to Honky Tonk Tuesdays at the Radio Bean!)

Try: 1*, 4, 7

RIYL: Wilco, Neil Young, Johnny Cash