Skindred Album Review
Skindred – Shark Bites and Dog Fights
Album Review by Ian Dickinson
Skindred have returned with their third release and follow up to 2007s’ Roots Rock Riot an album that gained the band respect on both sides of the Atlantic. Benji Webbe (vocals) and the lads are back to shake us roughly from our apathy with the awesomely titled Shark Bites And Dog Fights, with their very own style of Ragga Metal. Combining music and a message is not uncommon, politics, money, war are all common themes in music, but it is difficult to do well. You have Anti-Flag if you want to hear about international politics and humanitarian issues in a classic punk format. The King Blues for some grimy street level politics and then you have Skindred to get you bouncing off the walls whilst simultaneously thinking outside of a blinkered perception of society.
Standard For Something gets the socio-political party of to a banging start. The first single to be released from the album is a massive party anthem, which will be the catalyst for many a mosh pit; “if you want something you’ve got to rise and take it…stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” Clear, impacting, observant, intelligent and catchy as hell. Rebel rousing lyrics, huge riffs at break neck speed will make this destined to become a fan favorite. You Can’t Stop It is a frantic, thrash attack, with Benji using his entire vocal arsenal to full advantage. I am pretty sure that Skindred are the only metal band that can get away with using auto-tune without loosing credibility and sounding like retarded robots. My ears were met with a lovely surprise upon the first listening of the album and the discovery of an Eddy Grant cover and not just any cover but of Eddy Grant’s 1980s’ classic Electric Avenue. Mikey Demus (guitar) kills it on Calling All Stations with a devastating guitar solo before the album takes another surprising twist with Corrupted. The tracks is as rapid and dense as the previous but with a strangely uplifting and harmonious hook. The strings in Days Like These add greater depth and a harrowing undertone to Benji’s strong and melodic voice. The track is given greater sonic grandeur by the accompanying gang vocals. The conclusion to the album is just as rapid as its opening. Invincible, more thunderous beats and snarling guitars with Benji leading the riot; “so raise up your fist if you life means more…we are invincible!”
Shark Bites And Dog Fights isn’t preachy, patronising or overtly forceful with the messages they are conveying. You could happily enjoy the album just for the sheer brilliance of the tunes without paying mind to the lyrics, but that would be a waste. The variety of genres and styles that are fused to create Skindred’s sound is nothing short of spectacular. On paper this mix should not work, but Skindred can pull it off. Dub, Punk, Metal, Reggae all combined seamlessly to produce, high power, catchy and thoroughly fucking rocking tunes! Benji’s vocals are just as varied as the music played, from screams to harmonies, a bit of rapping and some classic ragga singing. My only criticism is that it is only 8 Tracks long. I could happily listen to more. In some respects the relatively short length of the album adds to the records bite.
Skindred are a genuinely innovative band who have created a body of music with real soul and an infectious rebellious rhythm. Reggae and Punk especially have a profound history as mediums for protest and Skindred, with the combination of numerous other genres and influences have created an album that will get you on your feet and doing something, whether that is standing up for a belief or just running around in sweaty venues having a good time. Skindred are famous for their live shows and they have masterfully created a new soundtrack for nights of bedlam at their shows. They are currently on tour in the UK so go check them out, you never know how long you will have before the American’s get their hands on them.
