Get Wiser

Soja – Get Wiser (Innerloop)
Reviewed by Sadie O., 7/20/06
Conscious roots rock Reggae from DC. Although they claim strong Hip Hop and Rock influences, they’re more rootsy than most of the stuff we’ve gotten lately. Not particularly earthshaking or groundbreaking, but a good strong sound, solid lyrics, and distinctive vocal stylings.
FCC – Shitty (track 8). All tracks nice, 4, 5 and 11 probably best.
1. 5:08 **downtempo and downbeat, one-drop with cool vocals, bit of flute.
2. 4:12 **midtempo and upbeat musically, with guest guitar by Junior Marvin (guitarist for Bob Marley)
3. 4:02 *long intro, rather downtempo bubble, abrupt ending.
4. 5:04 ***a bit downtempo skank with lots of cool noises.
5. 3:35 ***uptempo, nice bounce and percussion as well as bass.
6. 5:19 **slightly uptempo militant skank with horns.
7. 5:23 *downtempo and downbeat, defiant lyrics including a verse in Spanish by Carmelo Romero.
8. 4:10 **FCC: “shitty” cool midtempo skank with horns and dancehall style rap.
9. 5:09 *midtempo bouncy (but oddly relaxed) skank with harmonies.
10. 4:51 **uptempo bounce with prominent guitar and handdrum. Nice percussion near end, interesting lyrics.
11. 7:08 ***slightly uptempo with some nice dubby bits and guitar.
12. 4:25 **tinkling piano intro, midtempo, some dancehall style vocals.
13. 4:50 *rather long intro, somewhat uptempo skank, bit of dancehall vocals, builds in intensity.
14. 9:00 *acoustic, prayerful. A couple minutes of quiet strings at end.