Dub Trio - New Heavy Review
Posted by Tim Johnson on 05.23.2006
It's new and it's heavy. Truth in advertising.....
Stu Brooks: Bass, keys, dubs
Dave Holmes: Guitar, keys, dubs
Joe Tomino: Drums, percussion, keys, melodica, dubs
"Dub" is commonly known as a form of ska or reggae music with a heavy emphasis on drums and bass.
Multi-layered effects, including echo and reverb, are usually associated with the style as well.
In 2004, Dub Trio released a traditional sounding "dub" record entitled, Exploring the Dangers of. The effort was a solid instrumental take on music most notably popularized by bands like The Police and UB40.
Now, the New York City based trio has vaulted the genre to new heights with the extremely powerful release, New Heavy.
While "dub" is still the core element, the album is rooted in everything from punk, metal, and ska, to electronic fusion and straight up rock n' roll. The songs transition effortlessly, and while each selection has a vastly different sound, the flow of the record is constant and driving.
New Heavy starts with "Illegal Dub"; a three minute blend of grinding punk guitars, heavy Jamaican bass, and a spastic, pulse pounding drum line. It segues into the album's clear cut single, "Not Alone," featuring former Faith No More front-man, Mike Patton.
"Not Alone" brings Patton back to the mainstream for the first time in eight years, and it's also the only track on New Heavy that features vocals. The song is a bracing emulation of mainstream music, but the continuity remains true to the album, and it doesn't seem out of place.
"Angle of Acceptance" follows as a progressive-metal intro to the formidable "Table Rock Dub."
This selection emphasizes Dub Trio's chosen style with a mellow, layered combination of pianos, drums, and digital effects.
The remainder of the album continues in the same fashion.
Songs like "Jack Bauer" and "Screaming at the Sea" provide an instrumental visualization of intensity, with steady builds and poignant climaxes.
The band even works a melodica into the mix with one of the better tracks on the record, "Sunny I'm Kill."
The upbeat effort ends with a slow, droning composition entitled, "Lullaby For…" It's not so much of a song as it is a soundtrack. It plays out like a suspenseful scene in a movie, and it's a bizarre finale to the predominately energetic album.
In addition to the music, the New Heavy disc includes a music video for "Illegal Dub" and a live performance of the previously released, "Casting Out the Nines."
The album is available worldwide, May 23.
The 411: Dub Trio’s New Heavy is a success on many levels. It dabbles in a number of diverse musical genres, yet remains faithful and consistent to traditional “dub.” Furthermore, the addition of guest vocalist Mike Patton is an added bonus to an album that would still shine without him. Highly recommended.
