THE PIER'S TEN ESSENTIAL REGGAE ROCK ALBUMS

The purpose of this feature is to serve as a guide for the Essential Reggae Rock Albums that every serious fan should have in their collection and to provide a sound starting point for new fans of the genre. Not only are these albums listed here an enjoyable listen, but they have proven to stand the test of time and in some cases helped craft the overall sound or development of the scene.

Here are The Pier's Ten Essential Albums that have helped define and/or broaden this vibrant musical landscape.

10. Bargain Music - 77 003

Stepping out from behind the camera, Josh Fischel, the man with a powerful voice and relatable lyrics led an exciting new band - Bargain Music on this its debut 77 003. Produced by Mike Watt and Eddie Ashworth, the album featured enough familiarity to draw in the Sublime crowd, at the time starving for something new, and threw in more curveballs then anyone would expect like on the funky It's Called Fucking and the humorous Colostomy Bag.

While the band went on to make more eclectic and possibly better albums than this debut, 77 003 was the most reggae influenced and included such tasty jams as Black Eye and Lifeless Wandering.

9. The Movement - On Your Feet

Often when you are face with limitations, those constraints can create something special. For example, not having a drummer and relying on a pretty cheap drum machine for beats for your album. On Your Feet was thrown together on less than a shoe-string budget and was recorded in under 24 hours. The result - an original and powerful musical statement of two guys just playing music to entertain themselves.

It's pure magic. And maybe this end result contributed to such a long break between albums, On Your Feet is hard to top (though the follow-up Set Sail comes close). From the get go, the catchy Hola and the title track, set the pace for one of the most fun and upbeat records to travel the soundwaves.

8. Ballyhoo! - Do it for the Money

Ballyhoo! hijacked reggae rock and brought it into a whole new direction with its sophomore album release. Do it for the Money was the first time someone took head bobbin' reggae grooves and mixed it with unashamed arena rock choruses - all in the one song no less.

Due to front-man Howi's heavenly voice there could have been at least four or five hit songs from this album had mainstream radio given it a chance. The wide appeal of the record is also undeniable, songs like Go Around and Longshot will please any head banger and the heartfelt stylings of I Lately Notice and Everything is guaranteed to make any heart swoon. Do it for the Money was a giant step forward for this Maryland crew and has since shown no sign of doing nothing but continue to move forward.

7. Long Beach Dub Allstars - Right Back

We were very fortunate the LBDA was a band good as you could get to come out of the ashes of Sublime. With two amazing full-length releases, The Pier chose its debut album here because it importantly introduced a new generation of fans to reggae greats Barrington Levy, Half Pint, HR and Tippa Irie. What do you do when your singer passes away? Wisely enlist the help of those who inspired him.

Somewhat surprisingly though, it is the strong Long Beach reggae punk crossover spirit when led by hometown vocalists Opie and Ras 1 that score the best results on tracks like My Life, Trailer Ras and Like a Dog. Right Back is a way underrated album, particularly listening to it today when there is more distance between when it was released and the end of Sublime.

6. Dirty Heads - Dirty Demos

I don't remember playing the cheeky Antelope for anyone that didn't instantly like it. These raw Dirty Head demos were recorded by the band themselves and combine familiar elements of Sublime and the Beastie Boys to formulate a whole new sound. The lyricism showcased by Dirty J and Duddy B never sounded as crisp and uncensored.

Got No Time for Y'all features a powerful sing-along hook and Rub a Dub is simply such a sick song. For those fortunate enough to grab this release back in the day it really did feel like you had discovered something special that no one else knew about.

5. The Expendables - Gettin' Filthy

This is the shit right here. Santa Cruz's The Expendables had honed its sound across its excellent first two releases and were ready to deliver something special. The band didn't disappoint. Featuring present live show staples like Bowl for Two, Head in My Hands, and Set Me Off, the band's songwriting had reached new levels and none more obvious then on the incredible Sacrifice. It really is hard to think of a better song that captures the energy of what a successful combination reggae rock can make.

For an album with twenty tracks this is a pretty consistent affair, admittedly, there is a little fat around the middle but the disc finishes strongly with Would You Like to Know and the runaway punk rock of My Way Out. Gettin' Filthy was pretty much dubbed a classic album the day of release.

4. Pepper - Kona Town

The Pepper album most influenced by the 'Sublime' sound is still its best. The reggae grooves of tracks like Stone Love, Stormtrooper and BOOT are still as powerful today. However, it's the songs like Dry Spell and the band's first taste of radio success Give it Up that really make Kona Town a staple release in the reggae rock community.

It's no surprise the Hawaiian band thinks very highly of this album as well, with a planned Spring re-release titled Kona Town Gold, complete with bonus disc of the whole OG album recorded live at Fox Theatre in 2008. Kona Town is a perfect piece of Hawaii for us howlees (mainlanders).

3. 311 - Grassroots

With eight studio album's under their belts, each with their own special moments, this really was a hard choice to decide what 311 album to include here - so many classics. While Transistor and Don't Tread on Me contain the most reggae rock related songs, for an album on the whole, Grassroots and From Chaos are probably the most well rounded releases.

On the band's sophomore major-label release, Grassroots, chilled tracks like 8.16am, 1,2,3 and Lose show a restrained, natural flow and most importantly unique take on the whiteboy reggae sound. These tunes were a mature step for the band and are squeezed in nicely amongst tasty rap rock jams like Omaha Stylee, Homebrew and Offbeat Bare Ass. Who would have guessed some boys out of Omaha Nebraska would kill it so hard!

2. Slightly Stoopid - Acoustic Roots

When Slightly Stoopid released Acoustic Roots it proudly stepped out of Sublime's shadow. It was also the band's first release where Kyle McDonald confidently handles co-vocal duties and boy does he shine! Cool Down and Fireshots are amazing songs to start the journey. It is still hard to believe and is an incredible achievement the album was recorded in just one take.

It has to be said Acoustic Roots key stand-out element is the deadly guitar work, Miles and Kyle's complimentary playing is at the forefront here and on record it is still where Slightly Stoopid succeeds most. Even a Guns n Roses cover can not bring down this classic album.

1. Sublime - 40z to Freedom

No real surprise for its inclusion here. In fact make sure to buy the Sublime self-titled album while you grab this one. Every active band in the scene today owes at least some inspiration to Sublime. However, as a friend said to me recently, 'The truly great bands playing today are inspired by the bands that inspired Sublime (or others) and the average bandss are just inspired by Sublime.' I think this is fairly true. That's what makes 40z to Freedom such a great album. It simply captures perfectly; three dude's love of reggae, punk and hip hop.

Casual music fans may dismiss Sublime as a party band and they were to some degree, but also so much more. Nothing the band did was deliberate, it was just natural and for their own amusement. Yet they also had an extensive knowledge of music and a sincere love of all genres. These musical scientists created a sound-scape to a way of life. Every track is a highlight and the album's celebration of diversity contribute to its longevity and everlasting appeal. Timeless and a way of life!

RECOMMENDED FURTHER LISTENING

John Brown's Body - Amplify

The B Foundation - Trouble Standing

Filibuster - The Means...

Toko Tasi - Spiritual Life

Mike Pinto - Self Titled

Passafire - Submersible

Too Rude - Re-Invention

Stick Figure - Burnin' Ocean

Chapter 11 - Live and Direct

Close Enough - Noize

880 South - Beware

Tomorrow's Bad Seeds - Early Prayers

Do you agree with The Pier's choices? What are your favorite reggae rock albums of all-time? Post your thoughts on The Pier Chat Boards RIGHT HERE.