Search - Rx Bandits :: ...And the Battle Begun

Get your war on

Luke Rounda | Lawrence, KS | 12/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Last century, the third wave of ska revival skanked up the airwaves somethin' mighty boss for awhile before fading back into obscurity. Most people forgot, but as recently as 2003, Ted Leo and his Pharmacists asked, "Where have all the rude boys gone?"



They're around. These days, though, you just have to strain to hear the transmission. With Rx Bandits' fifth album proper, the message is delivered with decidedly fewer decibels than 2003's hard rock-threaded "The Resignation," but "...And the Battle Begun" ups the clarity with some of the most potent lyrics ever from this band.



"Epoxi-lips" decompresses out of the speakers with a drum hit dowsed with reverb heard only in the deepest depths of dub reggae, and a sly guitar/keyboard duet paves the way for Matt Embree's vocals. The chorus suggests "Resignation"-era b-side material-- not a bad thing at all-- in contrast with the majority of "...And the Battle Begun," which plays a bit like an evolved "Progress" (2001), taught to walk upright. There's less outright guitar crunch and more playfulness and interplay between the instruments here. Complex rhythms and concepts abound.



Intricate and nuanced performance is the name of the game with the Bandits and their craft. Hard-hitting political tirades trade punches with tales of soured romance, and a bit of creative overlap between the two occurs. Embree's soaring croon imbues "Only For the Night" and "A Mouth Full of Hollow Threats," already striking for their eclecticism and instrumental detail, with a sense of passion nearly unheard of in modern popular music. Elsewhere, he harmonizes with himself in a repeating a capella melodic motif ("Untitled") that crops up throughout "the Battle Begun": "It's over / I must have seen her face before / I fell in love when I was born / Now they hide her with a whisper / It's over." It becomes ambiguous whether the lovers are people, countries, or both.



Although theirs is music based on decidedly culture-born Jamaican ska and reggae, the Rx Bandits synthesize a sound all their own, one which is nationless yet patriotic at the same time, full of soul and passion, firing warning shots across the bows of armadas of popular opinion such as music fans and politicians. Defiantly creative music like this doesn't get put to tape very often. Don't be afraid to get your war on, and explore the rewarding back catalog of the Bandits."

Brilliant

R. Shah | Bensalem, PA USA | 11/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those damn bandits have managed to push the envelope even further, and set the bar higher for their music. While The Resignation focused more on hard rock and reggae, this release incorporates both and liberally intersperses jazz elements throughout the record. With less heavy tracks, less crunching guitar, and more of a focus on the brass and Embree's vocals, the band manages to build even better upon their signature style. The horns are better than ever. Guitars are flawless, and the band shows an astounding level of maturity. These guys just get better and better."

"makes no difference who's to blame"

Tony | wash, DC | 12/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For previous Rx Bandits fans: This is the somehow even more ambitious follow up to Resignation. I don't need to tell you what they're capable of, and there are moments when they are completely on target with their delivery. Then again there are moments that I still haven't caught up to yet, which makes me wonder if maybe they just missed the mark all together. Probably not, won't know for a few listens I guess. This is the album I was waiting for from them, at this point I think it's successful, and you should buy it.



For newcomers: First of all, welcome and do not be scared, though after a first listen you may be. There is just an incredible amount of music to digest with this album- for better or worse. I recommend listening to The Resignation prior as it is entirely more accessable; completely dancable reggae/rock music with a decidedly progressive edge. That's not to say that ATBB will turn you off to the Bandits, just this band has clearly matured on this album, and you'd want to learn a bit about their breakthrough album before you pass judgement on this one. Enjoy, and hopefully you will find the Bandits as refreshing as I have.



I recommend In Her Drawer, Apparition, and A Mouth Full of Hollow Threats?, with the latter 2 intended for newbs especially."