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 05/2007

    CORNELIUS
    Sensuous

  • reviewed 01/2008

    ANTIBALAS
    Security

  • reviewed 11/2004

    Daby Toure
    Diam

  • reviewed 06/2016

    Carlos Franzetti
    Argentum

  • reviewed 09/2008

    Various Artists-Calypsoul 70: Caribbean and Calypso Crossover 1969-1979
    Calypsoul 70: Caribbean and Calypso Crossover 1969-1979

  • reviewed 09/2008

    FUNKADESI
    – Yo Baba

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.