Review of Easy Star's DUB SIDE OF THE MOON

Kirsty Rock's powerful handling of "The Great Gig in the Sky" has drawn high praise from Clare Torry, the song's original vocalist. And though Roger Waters has a bizarre policy "not to endorse any covers of [his] material," I'm sure he's got to love Dr. Israel's spooky take on "Brain Damage"'s most poignant line: "there's someone in my head, but it's not me."

The vocal performances are particularly impressive considering that many of the singers and toasters weren't born in the United States and hadn't heard Pink Floyd's original album. Any lack of familiarity, though, is well-hidden. The vocalists all sound very natural in this unusual environment, due partly to their own inherent talent and partly to the decidedly un-reggaelike mixing of the vocals. The delay and echo put on the singers' tracks are more reminiscent of a 70's rock album than a 2003 roots reggae release. Again, decisions like this one help the overall cohesiveness of the album.

In addition to the nine original tracks, Easy Star's included three thick-and-heavy, smoky dub versions and one bonus track from toaster Ranking Joe. The rolling basslines of "Great Dub in the Sky" will shake your chest into submission. Meanwhile, Augustus Pablo is looking down on "Time Version"'s haunting melodica and smiling.

And to answer the one question I'm sure is on your mind: yes, watching The Wizard of Oz while listening to Dub Side of the Moon works. Easy Star even has a page to help you out with helpful hints such as: "[At] 19:06, the smoke whipped up by the tornado resembles the smoke of the bong hit at the start of 'Money.'"

With Dub Side of the Moon, Easy Star has not only done great credit to Pink Floyd's 1973 masterpiece, but they've also released one of the best albums thusfar this year. In time, Dub Side... may become as essential as the original.

For more information on Dub Side of the Moon visit Easy Star's site. For more on Pink Floyd's original, this page seems to be a good starting point.

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