Rating: NNN
Just in time for first-year dorm dweller Bob Marley poster purchasing, Kingston (Ontario) darlings Bedouin Soundclash deliver Light The Horizon.
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But white-reggae lovers haven’t got a lot to latch onto here, since from the first strums of opener Mountain Top, Soundclash appear to be taking a welcome leap into a Vampire Weekend-type indie vibe.
That trend is stronger on the first half of the album – culminating in a fine collaboration on Brutal Hearts with sweet-sounding Montreal indie favourite Coeur de Pirate, who complement Jay Malinowski’s croak perfectly.
Alas, the band’s transition – understandable given the label’s recent focus on Malinowski’s solo work – is only halfway complete.
The song Elongo repackages over-the-top Sting echoes, which only get worse if you check out the cheesy snake charmer video. The Quick & The Dead falls right back into squirm-worthy reggae, perfect for people who say “doobie” straightfaced, which continues to undo the disc two tracks later on the formulaic A Chance Of Rain.
Top track: Brutal Hearts
Bedouin Soundclash light up the horizon at Sound Academy November 19.
