Skindred - Roots Rock Riot

[flks511]

Skindred - Roots Rock Riot
Record Label: Bieler Bros. Records
Release Date: October 23, 2007

"ROOTS ROCK! RIOT!"

I guess Skindred is back. There's no mistaking that trademark scream that opens the band's sophomore full-length release, Roots Rock Riot. The scream is backed by thick, low-tuned guitars and tight drumming (which is something the band has always been famous for). Webbe spits out ragga-tinged lyrics through the verse ("Ah we no want no badness bout ya/And everyone push up your lighta/Let me see ya bouncing in the area"), and the band builds up to a huge, booming chorus.

About forty seconds into the opening title track, I was assured that the album would be just as good as Babylon. Webbe continues to amaze me, as he is such a versatile vocalist. Guitarist Mikey Demus still delivers that driving, full-sounding guitar, and the whole band brings so much energy to the table, which is, to me, the most important quality in a band.

Up next is "Trouble," the album's lead single and another hard-rocker (reminds me of "Nobody"). Webbe chats through the verse, explodes into screaming for the pre-chorus ("EXPLOSIVE EXIBITION OF BRUTALITY!!!"), and then breaks into a melodic chorus backed by huge power chords and booming bass. "Ratrace" and "State of Emergency" build on the hard rock formula with melodic choruses. Following "State of Emergency" is "Alright," three minutes of nicely put together melody with a beautiful pre-chorus two minutes in (which is definately the highlight of the album).

The rest of the album is a lot the same: ragga chatting overtop low power chords and a big sounding bass. It reminds me of Babylon, only a lot better. The melodies are catchier; the band rocks harder; and most importantly, I can feel the energy oozing out of every track on the album. It's the kind of album that you haven't heard until you've heard it live.

And they don't even include those stupid interludes like on the last album.

This is an improvement over their last album in many ways. The production is stellar. The lyrics are improved, and I can take Webbe seriously now. And the band manages to keep their straightforward rock/ragga/metal attack along with some new twists.

I encourage everyone to pick this one up.

Babylon; Dub War; rocking hard; 311

www.myspace.com/skindred (http://www.myspace.com/skindred)

[Alex DiVincenzo]

Didn't realize this gimmick band still existed.

[starseed]

Not really sure how a band combining reggae, metal, funk, and pop in one band is a gimmick. Maybe they're Bad Brains, but not a gimmick.

[kemichels]

Really great, energetic live show. Band is awesome.

[Sikbeat37]

I encourage everyone that likes Skindred to also check out Fear Nuttin' Band. They opened for Streetlight Manifesto awhile back and were awesome.

[flks511]

Not really sure how a band combining reggae, metal, funk, and pop in one band is a gimmick. Maybe they're Bad Brains, but not a gimmick.
Just because they're the same genre doesn't mean they're the same band. Spoken like someone who knows absolutely nothing about raggae.

[starseed]

Just because they're the same genre doesn't mean they're the same band. Spoken like someone who knows absolutely nothing about raggae.
Wow, I was trying to defend your review. Last time I do that.

[flks511]

Wow, I was trying to defend your review. Last time I do that.
I was just telling you that you need to actually know something about a genre before you start making comparisons like that when you don't know what the hell you're talking about.

[starseed]

No, I don't know anything about reggae or particularly care, I was trying to say Skindred's not a gimmick by pointing out a well-respected band that, I guess to an untrained reggae ear, does something similar conceptually.

But I guess I was wrong to do that. Again, last time I try to be helpful.

[eleven eleven]

shitty band. Saw them open for gogol bordello. Thought they were annoying.

[Poochemist]

I really enjoyed Babylon, and had no idea that they put this album out in 2007. I'll have to check it out, especially since it's supposed to be better than their last effort.

By the way, when I tell people about Skindred, I usually mention that Skindred are to Jamaican culture what System of a Down is to Armenian culture. The "ethnic" influences are definitely there but it's an "American" form.

[flks511]

No, you said that Skindred was Bad Brains.......and I'm telling you you're way off.

[Co and Ca]

this band is horrible. nothing but nu-metal/rap-rock made for the radio. fuck that noise.

[flks511]

this band is horrible. nothing but nu-metal/rap-rock made for the radio. fuck that noise.
Nu-metal/rap rock gone raggae gone punk....very creatively fused together.
Made for radio.....yet I've never heard it on the radio. Ever.
You're an idiot.

[Co and Ca]

Nu-metal/rap rock gone raggae gone punk....very creatively fused together.
Made for radio.....yet I've never heard it on the radio. Ever.
You're an idiot.

why are you going out of your way to defend such a shitty band?

[flks511]

why are you going out of your way to defend such a shitty band?
Because you're wrong. And have no facts to back up what you say.

[Co and Ca]

Because you're wrong. And have no facts to back up what you say.
what facts? i didn't state any facts. just an opinion. my opinion was they're horrible because they make nu-metal/rap-rock for the radio. i don't like that music, so i don't like them. quit being a little fanboy bitch. there's nothing more to say.

[flks511]

what facts? i didn't state any facts. just an opinion. my opinion was they're horrible because they make nu-metal/rap-rock for the radio. i don't like that music, so i don't like them. quit being a little fanboy bitch. there's nothing more to say.
Which just proves that you don't know what the hell you're talking about.

[Co and Ca]

Which just proves that you don't know what the hell you're talking about.
i used to listen to shit like them back in 2001. i know what i'm talking about. i don't care for that music anymore so i don't like them. also, why are you so persistent on defending this band? i really don't see the point. i'm done arguing with you over such a shitty band that i shouldn't be wasting my time on in the first place. good day.

[flks511]

i used to listen to shit like them back in 2001. i know what i'm talking about. i don't care for that music anymore so i don't like them. also, why are you so persistent on defending this band? i really don't see the point. i'm done arguing with you over such a shitty band that i shouldn't be wasting my time on in the first place. good day.
You used to listen to raggae/rap/metal/punk/hip-hop back in 01? I don't think so.

[RonMexico]

Mods, can we please take this review down? It's apparent that the reviewer is fairly biased towards the band based on the the comments that he's been making. Also, his comments are a bad reflection of the site. It's apparent that he can't take criticism, even if it is in his favor.

[provethatIexist]

You used to listen to raggae/rap/metal/punk/hip-hop back in 01? I don't think so.
bahahah... this band is terrible. you lose.

there is nothing original here. 311/System of a Down/Disturbed were all around in 2001, which is basically what this band is a mix of.

every song sounds the same... you said it best: "The rest of the album is a lot the same: ragga (haha) chatting overtop low power chords and a big sounding bass."

definitely not "creative", definitely not good... sorry bro.

[flks511]

Mods, can we please take this review down? It's apparent that the reviewer is fairly biased towards the band based on the the comments that he's been making. Also, his comments are a bad reflection of the site. It's apparent that he can't take criticism, even if it is in his favor.
Telling me a band sucks is not criticism. No one has really posted intellegent criticism at all, and I just had to defend the review.

[RonMexico]

Telling me a band sucks is not criticism. No one has really posted intellegent criticism at all, and I just had to defend the review.
That's the thing; a good reviewer lets his word stand alone. If you have to defend every word you say, did you really write an effective review?

Having the band as your icon doesn't really help your case, either.

[Troggy]

You used to listen to raggae/rap/metal/punk/hip-hop back in 01? I don't think so.
This band was in the the lineup at Rock im Park when I went in high school. That was 2002, which was at most 5 months after 2001, right around when Babylon came out. I'm surprised you don't know that about this band you love so much. A LOT of us listened to this garbage in 2001. Skindred is one of the worst bands I have ever heard.

[flks511]

That's the thing; a good reviewer lets his word stand alone. If you have to defend every word you say, did you really write an effective review?

Having the band as your icon doesn't really help your case, either.
I have to defend the review if no one can actually give good, intelligent criticism.

[RonMexico]

I have to defend the review if no one can actually give good, intelligent criticism.
No, you don't.

The more you have to "back it up" to people, the more insecure you are in your review.

By the way, I listened to the record. It's garbage.

[Dymytry Vance]

No, you don't.

The more you have to "back it up" to people, the more insecure you are in your review.

By the way, I listened to the record. It's garbage.
This.