Fear Nuttin Band - Yardcore

Band: Fear Nuttin Band
Album: Yardcore
Genre: reggae/punk/pop/rock
Label:Bodog Music

Tracks:
1. Enemy
2. Rock The World
3. Dun Di Place
4. Police State
5. Pon Di Block
6. Vibes
7. Runaway
8. Fears
9. No
10. Champagne
11. Can't Get Mi Weed
12. Friends
13. Real Music

It's been a long time since I've heard a band that funneled Bad Brains, Bob Marley, Rancid, and raw rock into something that resembled talent, but that long drought has just ended. Now you may be thinking this band sounds familiar and if so you probably recognize them from their stint on Bodog's Battle of The band's competition that was all over Fuse tv last year. They were the Boston Chanmpions and being so landed them a deal with Bodog Music and gave them the chance to spread their musical message of, "Unify the music, Unify the people," with the rest of the world. I haven't heard so much heart from such a young band in a long time and after one listen, I'm sure you will agree.

Yardcore,the bands debut album is something completely out of the blue from the first track on. "Enemy," the opening number, is a call to arms of sorts with a with a pounding drum rhythm and a reggae vocal styling that pulls you in with interest and intensity. The very next track, "Rock The World," plays like a metal track that's been laced with mainstream opportunity. Every track on the album feels like a musical buffet of sound that is stocked full of wonderful things. At one point there will be a pounding breakdown, then rapping that twists words in ways that would make Kanye West proud, and still there's room for guitar solos, and thick bass lines. The fourth track, "Police State," has a gloomy feel, like early Rage Against Machine, but the reggae vocal lines take it to a whole new level. The lyricism throughout the album is intense, but through good repetition, every track seems ready for a live crowd. Though, with the rhythms the band creates, you'll never need to know a word to be completely consumed in the world of the Fear Nuttin' Band. "Pon Di Block," adds an acoustic guitar to the mix while telling about life on the streets [chock full of references to pouring out drinks for your lost friends, violence, etc. Sure the lyrics aren't that refreshing, but it's done to well to get caught up. If there's one song I'd throw up for radio play right away, it'd have to be, "Fears," from the simple 1, 2 drumming intro to the driving guitar lines, it just feels complete. I couldn't help, but reference it to 311, but done better [yea I said it] than I think even the great 311 could do. It's a well crafted jam that blurs the line between rock and pop perfectly. the back half of the album, rocks just as well as the first half, but on some tracks, such as, "Can't Get Mi Weed," you really get a stronger sense of the band's reggae roots. Vocally, they never sound as good as on these more laid back tracks. The album then comes to a close with, "Real Music," which begins with almost a salsa style musical atmosphere before building into a completely pop friendly song. It's a perfect representation of the bands ability to mix many sounds together to create a sonically pleasing track. To be honest, I was hitting repeat before the album even ended.

I'll admit, knowing this band had been on a reality show made me quite nervous about reviewing their album. So many times people who are on reality tv that release albums end up releasing complete garbage, but this is quite the opposite. The Fear Nuttin Band's Yardcore is a stunning work of original sound that both pulls you in and keeps your attention throughout. Fans of everything from mainstream rock, to pop, to reggae will find something in this album. Somehow, in one album, The Fear Nuttin Band have been able to not only transcend genres, but merge generation gaps and craft the kind of songs that last for years and years. This is no flash in the pan band burning out their 15 minutes, but a musical force just coming into what should be a long, prosperous career.


*Written By: James Shotwell*
GRADE: 8/10
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