Rebelution - Peace Of Mind

[Music Head]

online listen
almost gave this a pass, but glad I didn't
very good reggae for me, wonder what my friend Tiggi would think
barely makes the list which is good for a first listen
not great sound on the live clip, but gives a better feel for the band
love the stage setting
1.7 from me and not yet rated by the pros at allmusic

from the album - Sky Is The Limit
Rebelution - 08/21/2011- St. Augustine, FL - Sky's The Limit - YouTube

released Jan 10th, 2012



Album Review - from 3 minute record

Do genre classifications really apply to 21st century music? After listening to the new album by Santa Barbara’s
Rebelution, I am convinced the classic idea of genre is likely passé.

With the release of their new album the band have promoted their record in a very unique way. Peace of Mind comes
packaged as a diverse, three-disc set. Included in the set: the original studio recordings of all the tracks, a
stripped-down acoustic disc and a dub remix of the studio versions. Rebelution offered free downloads packs of all
three versions of songs in advance of the release. They even gave away six of the twelve album tracks for free. The
band really went the extra mile to appeal to the broadest audience possible with this technique.

Peace of Mind, their fourth record, finds itself classified (by iTunes) as a reggae record. This categorization
seems far too narrow to describe the range of styles this record weaves through.

Rebelution definitely pay respect to their Jamaican influences by incorporating these sounds into their modern
hybrid. They hit all the obvious reggae hallmark elements like the tight snare, off beat rhythms, horns, organs,
big bass, positive lyrics, vocal echo and of course a song about being high –appropriately titled “So High.”

Any reggae fan will find something to draw them into this record. The producers (the band used five different
producers on Peace of Mind) and the group went the extra mile to diversify the sound of this record to draw in fans
of every genre.

The opening track, “Sky is the Limit,” is a straight-ahead reggae/rock track that opens strong with tight rhythm
and great horns. The vocal delivery from Eric Rachmany (vocals, guitars) is powerful and effectively drives the
track melodically and lyrically. His lyrics on this track are an exclamation of the band’s focus and determination;
these words show the band’s intolerance for negativity. “Comfort Zone” features a great guitar solo from Rachmany
and a rock solid bass line from Marley Williams, while continuing the reggae/rock feel. On the third track, “Good
Vibes,” a song that deals with the goal of eliminating racism, Rebelution employ a more dub heavy sound for the
darker subject matter.

After three obviously reggae influenced songs, the group slows down the sound and the mood with a very smooth R&B-
style acoustic ballad. “Route Around” is a long-distance love letter from the road explaining that there is a way
to make a relationship work. The song builds with energy and includes some excellent horn and string arrangements
for the ending of the song.

Rebelution continue to diversify their sound on the track “Life on the Line.” They incorporate a very eastern
influenced acoustic guitar intro and possibly some eastern instrumentation (I’m not sure, sadly, digital media and
liner notes rarely come together). The darkness of the non-standard instrumentation lends itself nicely to this
track about the realizing your thoughts were all a bad dream.

Next up is the second of three ballads on Peace of Mind, the song “Closer I Get.” This cut features a simple
drumbeat with an old scratchy record effect laid over most of the track. A simple groove keeps this song moving
until guest John Popper (Blues Traveler) shows up with his trademark harmonica after the bridge and solos until the
song fades completely away.

The last five songs on the record all occupy their own unique space. “Lady in White” is a musically heavy song
about drug addiction. Part of the weight of this track comes from its synthesizer and guitar prominence that is a
nod to nu-metal, but still maintaining their own unique sound. Rebelution also include an obligatory stoner reggae
anthem in the track “So High.”

“Day By Day” features a skanking verse and a heavy stop/start chorus to create a very driving song about the ups
and downs of relationships. Also included is a very basic reggae song, “Calling Me Out,” about accepting how things
are and moving on.

The group chose to end Peace of Mind with an acoustic ballad that seems to focus on the war in Iraq. “Honeypot”
seems to take the soldier’s perspective of disbelief surrounding all things war related. This song seems poignant
enough to get your attention, but not in a very heavy-handed manner. The vibe of this track is a perfect way to end
the record.

Rebelution really brings a slick, pop angle to the reggae genre that their sound is based around. The record’s very
deliberate production allows them more freedom than I have ever heard on a single reggae record. They have crafted
some pretty infectious radio-ready songs that should appeal to most rock or reggae fans.

While Peace of Mind doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does prove that you can spin wheels of all sizes and shapes
simultaneously.

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
6. Life on the Line
7. Closer I Get Feat. John Popper
8. Lady in White
9. So High Feat. Zumbi
10. Day by Day
11. Calling Me Out
12. Honeypot

[SteveO]

Thanks MH ! I saw this this morning on line...now I am going to check it out !

online listen
almost gave this a pass, but glad I didn't
very good reggae for me, wonder what my friend Tiggi would think
barely makes the list which is good for a first listen
not great sound on the live clip, but gives a better feel for the band
love the stage setting
1.7 from me and not yet rated by the pros at allmusic

from the album - Sky Is The Limit
Rebelution - 08/21/2011- St. Augustine, FL - Sky's The Limit - YouTube

released Jan 10th, 2012



Album Review - from 3 minute record

Do genre classifications really apply to 21st century music? After listening to the new album by Santa Barbara’s
Rebelution, I am convinced the classic idea of genre is likely passé.

With the release of their new album the band have promoted their record in a very unique way. Peace of Mind comes
packaged as a diverse, three-disc set. Included in the set: the original studio recordings of all the tracks, a
stripped-down acoustic disc and a dub remix of the studio versions. Rebelution offered free downloads packs of all
three versions of songs in advance of the release. They even gave away six of the twelve album tracks for free. The
band really went the extra mile to appeal to the broadest audience possible with this technique.

Peace of Mind, their fourth record, finds itself classified (by iTunes) as a reggae record. This categorization
seems far too narrow to describe the range of styles this record weaves through.

Rebelution definitely pay respect to their Jamaican influences by incorporating these sounds into their modern
hybrid. They hit all the obvious reggae hallmark elements like the tight snare, off beat rhythms, horns, organs,
big bass, positive lyrics, vocal echo and of course a song about being high –appropriately titled “So High.”

Any reggae fan will find something to draw them into this record. The producers (the band used five different
producers on Peace of Mind) and the group went the extra mile to diversify the sound of this record to draw in fans
of every genre.

The opening track, “Sky is the Limit,” is a straight-ahead reggae/rock track that opens strong with tight rhythm
and great horns. The vocal delivery from Eric Rachmany (vocals, guitars) is powerful and effectively drives the
track melodically and lyrically. His lyrics on this track are an exclamation of the band’s focus and determination;
these words show the band’s intolerance for negativity. “Comfort Zone” features a great guitar solo from Rachmany
and a rock solid bass line from Marley Williams, while continuing the reggae/rock feel. On the third track, “Good
Vibes,” a song that deals with the goal of eliminating racism, Rebelution employ a more dub heavy sound for the
darker subject matter.

After three obviously reggae influenced songs, the group slows down the sound and the mood with a very smooth R&B-
style acoustic ballad. “Route Around” is a long-distance love letter from the road explaining that there is a way
to make a relationship work. The song builds with energy and includes some excellent horn and string arrangements
for the ending of the song.

Rebelution continue to diversify their sound on the track “Life on the Line.” They incorporate a very eastern
influenced acoustic guitar intro and possibly some eastern instrumentation (I’m not sure, sadly, digital media and
liner notes rarely come together). The darkness of the non-standard instrumentation lends itself nicely to this
track about the realizing your thoughts were all a bad dream.

Next up is the second of three ballads on Peace of Mind, the song “Closer I Get.” This cut features a simple
drumbeat with an old scratchy record effect laid over most of the track. A simple groove keeps this song moving
until guest John Popper (Blues Traveler) shows up with his trademark harmonica after the bridge and solos until the
song fades completely away.

The last five songs on the record all occupy their own unique space. “Lady in White” is a musically heavy song
about drug addiction. Part of the weight of this track comes from its synthesizer and guitar prominence that is a
nod to nu-metal, but still maintaining their own unique sound. Rebelution also include an obligatory stoner reggae
anthem in the track “So High.”

“Day By Day” features a skanking verse and a heavy stop/start chorus to create a very driving song about the ups
and downs of relationships. Also included is a very basic reggae song, “Calling Me Out,” about accepting how things
are and moving on.

The group chose to end Peace of Mind with an acoustic ballad that seems to focus on the war in Iraq. “Honeypot”
seems to take the soldier’s perspective of disbelief surrounding all things war related. This song seems poignant
enough to get your attention, but not in a very heavy-handed manner. The vibe of this track is a perfect way to end
the record.

Rebelution really brings a slick, pop angle to the reggae genre that their sound is based around. The record’s very
deliberate production allows them more freedom than I have ever heard on a single reggae record. They have crafted
some pretty infectious radio-ready songs that should appeal to most rock or reggae fans.

While Peace of Mind doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does prove that you can spin wheels of all sizes and shapes
simultaneously.

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
6. Life on the Line
7. Closer I Get Feat. John Popper
8. Lady in White
9. So High Feat. Zumbi
10. Day by Day
11. Calling Me Out
12. Honeypot

[R_burke]

Nice review(s) I have all three of their releases and have seem them live a few times. Good fun band, but you can get a contact high at their shows

[SteveO]

Nothing like a Live concert !!!!!

Nice review(s) I have all three of their releases and have seem them live a few times. Good fun band, but you can get a contact high at their shows