Bedouin Soundclash‘s Street Gospels is a predictable third release that stays true to its influences of dancehall, dub, reggae, some punk, and a little rhythm and blues.
The Ontario-based trio formed in 2001 and has received much recognition from the Canadian music community. In 2006, the band took home a Juno (Canadian Grammy) for the “New Group of the Year” category.
This thirteen-track release pays homage to several genres similar to its predecessors. Elements of world music paste everything together while eliminating blandness and repetition. Those who enjoy dub, reggae, and ska artists are prone to a constant in music — similar chord structures and tempo. Street Gospels is an effort to avoid the clichéd sounds of organs and dubbing.
There are traditional-sounding songs on the album and others that represent the band in a better light. “St. Andrews” takes guitarist Jay Malinowski’s swift strumming and backs it with a subtle walking bass line by Eon Sinclair. “12:59 Lullaby” has already received commercial success by being used in the “Grey’s Anatomy” television series. It is the best song on the album, incorporating Malinowski’s peaceful vocals that build in warmth and lyrical meaning.
Surprisingly, it is the slower paced tracks — “Nico On The Night Train” and closer “Hearts In The Night” — that make the album worthwhile. Bedouin Soundclash should use that sense of being unplugged to its advantage and create more memorable tracks.
– Adrian Finiak
Bedouin Soundclash (Side One Dummy)