JOHN BROWN'S BODY

Amplify

2008-10-06

John Brown’s Body has come a long way from my introduction to them at Bell’s Eccentric Café in 1999, at which point they were a group of skinny, kind of nerdy white kids pumping out some jaw-dropping, booty-shaking reggae thunder. Since then, their sound has matured and gained complexity. It has also taken a turn more toward the serious reggae-as-social-commentary angle – a departure from their earlier reggae-as-soundtrack-to-fun style. They’ve also added some rap lyrics (“Amplify, “Shake the Dice”). Those changes come, in part, through an overhaul of the band’s line-up. From the original members on 1996’s All Time, only drummer Tommy Benedetti and back-up vocalist (now frontman) Elliot Martin remain. Amplify is tight, well-produced and thought-provoking. It’s just not as fun as some of their older stuff. ::arthur longrapids::

More reviews tagged #World

  • reviewed 01/2007

    ASTRID WILLIAMSON
    Day of the Lone Wolf

  • reviewed 08/2017

    TOPS
    Sugar at the Gate

  • reviewed 07/2007

    MARIPOSA
    Eros

  • reviewed 12/1969

    LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES
    Commercial

  • reviewed 11/2015

    Peter Cooper
    Depot Light Songs Of Eric Taylor

  • reviewed 01/2007

    TARTIT
    Abacabok

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.