Adrian Sherwood - On-U Soundcrash
Adrian Sherwood - On-U Soundcrash
Originally published at http://www.disordermagazine.com/article.php?id=460
Bloody hell, where to begin? Ironically, this is probably what Adrian Sherwood thought as he stared at his files of mixes and records trying to figure out from which angle to tackle the construction of ‘On-U Soundcrash’. The main bulk of it is made up of dub/reggae beats, inter-spliced with ‘screeches and vocals’ (quote from the press release). As any sane person finds it literally impossible to stay still when a dub beat flows through them you would have thought Adrian was on to a winner, and initially he is. Like most things without variation however, this eventually gets fukcing boring. Yes, I use swear words to express strong feelings. I am both big AND clever.
There seems to be such a thin line between cool and uncool dub that I find it hard to distinguish between the bands featured here and UB40. Apologies if you like UB40 but let’s face it, if you’re of that persuasion you probably live in a travel tavern and walk to the petrol station for your groceries (spot the ‘clever’ cultural reference). I once bought an issue of Rhythm Drummers Magazine featuring the best of dub and reggae drummers. Worst £4 I ever spent.
As I allow this stuff to meander into my ears I can’t help but wonder what the hell this album is for. I mean, in what situation would this CD be comfortable? The one and only environment in which ‘On-U Soundcrash’ would fit snugly is in a dilapidated caravan carrying 4 stoned college students who can’t see each other through the thick clouds of smoke that surround them. Quite a small and specific target audience I feel.
Perhaps I’m missing the point, or perhaps it’s just repetitive and seemingly pointless. Either way, the people who love this sort of stuff probably already know all about it, and will buy it regardless. As for the rest of you, just buy the best of UB40; at least then you can sing along to ‘Red, Red, Wine’.
5 out of 10.
Released 13th November on On-U Sound
17 Nov 2006 by Matt S.
Originally published at http://www.disordermagazine.com/article.php?id=460
Bloody hell, where to begin? Ironically, this is probably what Adrian Sherwood thought as he stared at his files of mixes and records trying to figure out from which angle to tackle the construction of ‘On-U Soundcrash’. The main bulk of it is made up of dub/reggae beats, inter-spliced with ‘screeches and vocals’ (quote from the press release). As any sane person finds it literally impossible to stay still when a dub beat flows through them you would have thought Adrian was on to a winner, and initially he is. Like most things without variation however, this eventually gets fukcing boring. Yes, I use swear words to express strong feelings. I am both big AND clever.
There seems to be such a thin line between cool and uncool dub that I find it hard to distinguish between the bands featured here and UB40. Apologies if you like UB40 but let’s face it, if you’re of that persuasion you probably live in a travel tavern and walk to the petrol station for your groceries (spot the ‘clever’ cultural reference). I once bought an issue of Rhythm Drummers Magazine featuring the best of dub and reggae drummers. Worst £4 I ever spent.
As I allow this stuff to meander into my ears I can’t help but wonder what the hell this album is for. I mean, in what situation would this CD be comfortable? The one and only environment in which ‘On-U Soundcrash’ would fit snugly is in a dilapidated caravan carrying 4 stoned college students who can’t see each other through the thick clouds of smoke that surround them. Quite a small and specific target audience I feel.
Perhaps I’m missing the point, or perhaps it’s just repetitive and seemingly pointless. Either way, the people who love this sort of stuff probably already know all about it, and will buy it regardless. As for the rest of you, just buy the best of UB40; at least then you can sing along to ‘Red, Red, Wine’.
5 out of 10.
Released 13th November on On-U Sound
17 Nov 2006 by Matt S.
posted by Matthew Simpson | 12:37 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home