The Aggrolites – Reggae Hit L.A.
Reviewed by Sadie O., 5/4/07
Roots, analog, straight-up old-school ska – very well done. They look like skinheads, but don’t hold it against them – they sound like 1971 Kingston Jamdung. It ain’t even Two-Tone, it’s strictly roots. Fun, enjoyable, good attitude and energy – I bet they’re a kick in the pants live, too. Check it out!
No FCCs detected. My faves are 5 and 9, but ain’t nothing bad here.
1. 4:14 ***fairly uptempo ska with zoopy keyboards
2. 3:12 **midtempo classic ska with overtones of 60’s soul. Sweet lyrics, but the music really carries the track.
3. 2:53 **rather uptempo ska with prominent keyboard, just bits of toasting for vocals.
4. 4:33 **midtempo skank, religious preaching about keeping marriage together, gospel delivery – actually lots more fun than it sounds. Trap drum solo at end.
5. 3:06 ****midtempo ska-soul, infectious party atmosphere. This is the rhythm stick you want to be hit by!
6. 4:10 *sweet Lovers Rock groove.
7. 3:05 **midtempo instrumental with horns and wah-wah guitar. Both energetic and relaxed, somehow.
8. 3:01 **uptempo, happy and infectious – even when the lyrics indicate otherwise.
9. 3:06 ****midtempo, party sounds. Nice fuzz guitar solo. Ends suddenly.
10. 4:03 ***uptempo but sweet instrumental, gets dubby with some gnarly guitar sound.
11. 3:31 ***midtempo soulful ska, nice.
12. 2:58 **midtempo bouncy instrumental, prominent organ.
13. 3:20 **midtempo ska, very common subject but cool delivery.
14. 3:11 ***downtempo ska with all sorts of fun percussion and sounds.
15. 3:50 **downtempo, almost Rock Steady, football cheer lyrics, just plain fun. Fades out and ends a minute and 10 seconds early.
16. 18:35 *slow snaky syncopated drum, repeated loop with a glitch where the loop loops… just that, for 18:35! I can’t use it, but I’ll bet some of you creative sorts will find something fun to do with this…