This is a Special Edition 3 Part Album Review covering the Studio, Acoustic & Dub versions of Rebelutions Peace of Mind album. There’s a Star Rating for each of the 3 versions of Peace of Mind and an overall Star Rating for the entire project. Enjoy the read before enjoying all 36 total songs that accompany Peace of Mind…
The Pier’s Overall Album Rating:
Release Date: January 10th, 2011
Record Label: 87 Music/Controlled Substance Sound Labs
Official Website: Rebelution Website
Group Background:
Santa Barbara, California’s own Rebelution has taken the reggae scene by storm since their debut release Courage To Grow in 2007. Rebelution’s sound appeals to all musical taste buds spanning countless genres and styles, but their roots are the vintage reggae sound fans have come to adore. That fact was popularized when their debut album won iTunes Editors Choice for Best Reggae Album of 2007. In addition, Courage To Grow has remained in the Billboard Top Reggae Album Chart since its release over four years ago. The same praise can be said about Rebelution’s sophomore release Bright Side of Life in 2009. Not only was their second studio album secure in the top spot for the reggae genre, but Rebelution found their name at the #3 spot for top albums downloaded in the United States for all genres of music. It has been three years since Rebelution released a full-length album and the anticipation has only been amplified through the band’s unrelenting touring schedule.
For one of the most highly anticipated albums since Sublime’s self-titled release in 1996, Rebelution expanded beyond their normal in-house production routine, collaborating with five different producers comprised of Michael Goldwasser (Easy Star All-Stars), Amplive (Zion-I), Yeti Beats (George Clinton, Kool Keith), Keith Armstrong and Errol Brown (Stephen, Ziggy, Damian, and Bob Marley). One reason behind the hall of fame cast of producers was due to Rebelution’s idea of putting out a triple album, complete with a standard studio album, a stripped down acoustic album, as well as a dub remix album of all 12-album tracks. Although, nothing is standard about Rebelution’s third major release, Peace of Mind, the band keeps building upon their signature style while expanding the musical landscape that is reggae-rock.
Rebelution – Peace of Mind
Track Listing:
1.) Sky is the Limit
2.) Comfort Zone
3.) Good Vibes (feat. Lutan Fyah)
4.) Route Around
5.) Meant to Be (feat. Jacob Hemphill of SOJA)
6.) Life on the Line
7.) Closer I Get (feat. John Popper)
8.) Lady in White
9.) So High (feat. Zumbi of Zion-I)
10.) Day By Day
11.) Calling Me Out
12.) Honeypot
Studio Album Rating:
Album Review:
As soon as you press play on Rebelution’s Peace of Mind album, you are officially a passenger on one of the most picturesque, inspirational stories of passion and musical inspiration. From the opening horns of “Sky is the Limit”, Rebelution’s sound takes a hold of your soul. The song brings you to a place that only breeds success and positivity. Eric Rachmany’s lyricism has been elevated to unforeseen levels with the growth of the band’s musicianship from their extensive tour life. “Sky is the Limit” is a four-minute preview of what is about to unfold in the remaining eleven tracks.
From the thick and heavy bass lines of Marley Williams, to the crisp timing of drummer Wesley Finley, the album forces you to move with the rhythm at each turn of the track. Yet, throughout this album, there are plenty of surprises and guest appearances for the devoted fans’ pleasure.
The first collaboration on a track comes by way of Jamaican dancehall sensation, Lutan Fyah, on a song titled “Good Vibes”. Whether one might be a traditional island music fan of rockers reggae of the 1970s or a dancehall enthusiast from the United Kingdom, and all reggae styles in between, listeners will smile and nod their head with the uplifting fashion of Rory Carey’s highlighted keys.
Peace of Mind leaps through the band’s musical interests of traditional reggae, to dancehall, soft acoustic rock, to heavier, fast-paced hard rock ballads as the album continues to run. The highlight of the album might be the joint verses of Rachmany and SOJA’s Jacob Hemphill on “Meant To Be”. However, the expansion of Rebelution’s ever-evolving sound was pushed to the forefront on the later tracks with remarkable guitar riffs, solos, and high-intensity synthesizers. Even with a more plugged-in sound, the tracks were not over-produced one bit.
Each track sounds like Rebelution is still jamming in Isla Vista, CA for college parties, but with their musical growth has sprouted their best album to date. Peace of Mind contains everything a fan could have hoped for in Rebelution’s upcoming release, including a recorded version of live staple, “So High”.
Nonetheless, Peace of Mind is an album that will bring out the superior spirits, emotions and actions of listeners across the globe. In the end, Rebelution will release another album in a modest manor, with the utmost respect for the genre, while carving out their own graceful style of timeless reggae music.
Rebelution – Peace of Mind ACOUSTIC
Track Listing:
1.) Sky is the Limit
2.) Comfort Zone
3.) Good Vibes
4.) Route Around
5.) Meant to Be
6.) Life on the Line
7.) Closer I Get
8.) Lady in White
9.) So High
10.) Day By Day
11.) Calling Me Out
12.) Honeypot
Acoustic Album Rating:
Album Review:
Many bands get their start on acoustic instruments before making the jump to large-scale live performances with amplifiers turned way up. For Rebelution, their music is suited for a campfire with a couple acoustic guitars and percussion instruments at their disposal. Eric Rachmany’s voice is so powerful, unplugged music is almost required to shine a spotlight on the band’s most profound instrument.
In fact, Rachmany’s voice should be considered the fifth member of Rebelution after listening to the Peace of Mind acoustic album. With that being said, this album is far from a solo recording with just one guitar. However, each band member adds their own special touch to the acoustic album, experimenting with instruments rarely featured at a live performance. The simplicity of Wesley’s bongos might go overlooked by some, but especially for an easy-listening album such as this, it’s a major element that requires recognition.
Many of the songs on the acoustic album might be more intriguing to fans’ ears than the original, polished studio album. For instance, “Closer I Get” is already a softer side of Rebelution, but the acoustic version could have easily found its way onto the studio album. The same could be said for “Lady In White”. In comparison, the heart-wrenching piano of the acoustic recording in place of the keys and synthesizers on the original version add a soulful emotion in a gentle, caring manor rather than an in-your-face hard rock ballad.
For each of the twelve songs, Rebelution inserted their own intricacies to their recordings, instead of just playing the same notes from electric to unplugged. Rebelution is at the stage in their career where they are no longer just musicians, they are professors of the reggae sound, both live, in studio, and with their stripped down acoustic instruments. And, this album was only proof of their dedication and love for the music they write.
Rebelution – Peace of Mind DUB
Track Listing:
1.) Sky is the Limit
2.) Comfort Zone
3.) Good Vibes
4.) Route Around
5.) Meant to Be
6.) Life on the Line
7.) Closer I Get
8.) Lady in White
9.) So High
10.) Day By Day
11.) Calling Me Out
12.) Honeypot
Dub Album Rating:
Album Review:
If you are a fan of head-bouncing funky bass lines, the dub album will exceed expectations, and expand your horizons of what true dub music should sound like. The contrast from the acoustic album to the dub album might seem like day and night, but Rebelution captured the essence of their sound that crowds have gathered for all over the world.
The songs are less structured on the dub album, as the lyrics fade in and out seamlessly around the rhythm. However, these songs will not get you into the singing mood, they are simply get-up-and-jump dance tracks for your party pleasure. All the qualities that bring out the best in the studio tracks are prevalent as each song rolls on.
For the album finale, “Honeypot” brings the spotlight on the gentle picking of the acoustic guitar throughout the entire dub track. The keys are surgically placed all over this album, but another addition to this album added a little more spice compared to the studio versions. For the duration of the dub album, the melodica reverberates on each track, bringing a brighter side to the dub remixes than over-tracked and over-thought hodgepodge of sounds.
Rebelution managed to keep a more natural sound for this album, keeping to their roots, while still coupling that idea with Michael Goldwasser’s mastery of the dub tracks. The Peace of Mind dub album immensely raised the level of what a quality dub remix album should sound like. Once again, Rebelution is raising the bar in the reggae-rock community for what the natural reggae sound truly is, even on a dub album.
Written & Reviewed by: Kris Siuta
[Editors Note: All reviews are reflective of the album in it’s entirety, from start to finish. These reviews are the honest opinion of each writer/reviewer, expressing their feedback as a genuine fan of the music. Each star rating reflects their review of the album, not the band. Music is subjective. Regardless of the review or star rating, we encourage you to listen to the music yourself & form your own opinion. Spread the awareness of all music in its art & contribution]
