Customer Reviews

Dont Mess With the Dragon

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Don't Mess With The Dragon" is Ozo's latest full-length studio album. I hesitate to call it "full-length" though, since it clocks in a just over a half-hour long. But I'd rather have a compact, tighter album than an overly long, drawn-out, watered-down 75-minute affair.

I would agree with some of the other reviewers that this isn't Ozo's best album. But it is still solid. It's upbeat and fun. Don't Mess with the Dragon is a party album, a feel-good record.

One complaint - the rapping is below average and has been for quite awhile now. They could really use a guest appearance by Chali 2na, of Jurassic 5, again. I could do without rap on any future Ozo albums.

Overall though, it's not mind-blowingly great, but it is good. And it's way better than 95% of the other new music you could be buying. So pick it up. It's hard to sit still and be unhappy when Ozo's coming through the speakers.

Per their interview in Paste magazine, Ozomatli set out to make a more commercial, more accessable CD. Most tracks on Don't Mess With The Dragon are clearly aimed at radio play and the club and party crowd. You can't knock them for trying to make some money for a change; we all know how hard that is in the current music biz.

I love Street Signs, but this CD is a bit of an embarrasment. Everything is stripped down and simplified. The songs are silly and shallow for the most part. There are couple of OK moments, but after listening to this CD for the second time I felt like I'd heard enough.

If you are new to Ozo, skip this and buy Street Signs instead. Now THAT is a great album!

I've been an Ozo fan since they were selling tapes out of the trunk of their car at the L.A. County fair oh-so-many years ago. Ozo is always changing, which is refreshing in this industry of sameness. While this is a shorter album, it's still a good, solid album. I think the best track on there would have to be "Magnolia Soul" (a fun, soulful nod to New Orleans). This album is still worth picking up, despite the weird and negative reviews from the ultra die-hards. Try it.

I have been a big fan of Ozomatli since their first CD. I rave about them to all who will listen as most people who love this band do. This CD is indeed the turning point toward pop for this band. There are shades of the old band in some of the songs like La Gallina, or Violeta but most of the stuff is empty. It is like a band trying to cover Ozomatli songs. I am sure that most fans will give this a try in spite of the negative reviews, but for our sake guys don't do this again.

As an L.A. native and fan of Ozo since before their first album, the sound and the fury of the L.A. melange we've come to expect (and enjoy) is definitely there. I see them whenever they're in town. If I have a criticism, it is that the album is largely phoned-in. If you're accustomed to the Ozo sound, it's more of the same. But that's fantastic. Their worst day is better than 90% of most of other contemporary artists.

As has been said, Ozo's strength lies in their live performances; there's nothing like the energy of double-digit performers, musicians, and family members on stage, and this album does a great job translating that energy. It's a great pick-me-up, and a great party album. It's a great introduction to the band, and an equal addition to the Ozo library. Just don't expect a whole lot of innovation.

Having said that, I'll definitely be singing along to the songs from this album the next time they blow through town...and I'll see you there.

in fact, I have to say it is my least favorite album of Ozo's. That is not bad, in my opinion. I would rate their previous three as five stars. Some of the songs get a little repetitious and are rather short. However, I saw them live three weeks ago (my 15th time) and their songs have much more energy live. My personal favorite is "La Gallina". I heard it first live, and it blew me away.

As good as all their recordings are, the only way to really listen to Ozo is live. I never miss a chance to see them. If they are ever in your neck of the woods, go! But be ready to move and dance!

If you're a fan of Ozomatli and someone who'd never heard of them asked you what genre they are, chances are you wouldn't be able to give him/her an answer (what their very name means is a head-scratcher). But their latest album Don't Mess with the Dragon is filled with great stuff.

"Can't Stop" is an ideal way to open the album because you indeed won't be able to stop playing the disc after that track. From there you'll find standouts like "Here We Go", "When I Close My Eyes" and the necessary tribute-to-your-hometown, "City of Angels". And an Ozomatli album wouldn't be complete without some Latin tunes, so "La Gallina" and "Violeta" are good examples of that.

I only gave the album four stars because a few of the songs start to sound the same after a while and also, it's pretty hard to top their previous album, Street Signs. But Don't Mess with the Dragon is still a blazin' album that belongs in your collection.

Anthony Rupert

It's ok, there's a couple of catchy tunes, like "La Gallina", "Violeta" and "Creo", but all in all, it doesn't produce the same type of feeling I get from their original album and Street Signs. And what the heck is the title song? I hated it. If you're an Ozo fan, then you're going to get it anyway, but don't expect the fast thought provoking songs of the previous albums that is what makes Ozomatli who they are.

Ozomatli did what they precisely set out to do with this album. They made an album that's more accessible to a wider English-speaking audience, while maintaining their diverse style and positive message with a socio-political (but non-overbearing) edge. While this isn't their best album, it is a great installment in the evolution of their career.

Tracks:

Can't Stop: 10/10
I've always loved this track when they played it in concert, and the studio version is absolutely infectious. This is the perfect first single for their album. It combines rock, hip-hop, and pop with a little bit of world music flavor. If this doesn't get played on radio stations throughout the country, then they must think people don't want to listen to catchy music with a positive message.

City of Angels: 7/10
While I enjoy the instruments/music, I was really disappointed in the lyrics of the song. This is supposed to be an anthem for all of Los Angeles (including the grittier side) that's an update to the old Randy Newman song. However, after listening to song, it still leaves the listener wondering what L.A. is like. People from other large cities often criticize L.A. for not having any "soul." This song does little justice to the city. You really don't get a sense for the city's diverse neighborhoods or culture its people live. Aside from the name of a high school, a few streets, and a restaurant, you could get a similar sense of L.A. from various generic mid-90's rap songs.

After Party: 10/10
A great modern interpretation of 1960's R&B with a little bit of perfectly intertwined hip-hop. This is a great catchy anthem that's a hit at their live shows.

Don't Mess With the Dragon: 8/10
This is an Ozomatli version of reggae that combines rock and Asian influences. This song is about avoiding addictions (Don't mess with the Dragon, because it breathes fire and you'll get burned). I like the music and the lyrics, but there's something about the chorus that doesn't quite make it as catchy as other Ozomatli songs.

La Gallina: 10/10
Ozomatli's first cumbia song (not counting "Mi Gente") since their first album is one of the best tracks. Continuing in the theme of avoiding addictions and taking control of your life, the song's message is perfect for its great music and upbeat tempo. I believe this is the first song where Asdru and Raul each have their own verse.

Magnolia Soul: 10/10
This song is dedicated to New Orleans and features great music, a great chorus, and solid socially-conscious hip-hop verses. The horns are played in the style of New Orleans funk, and compliment a great bridge in the song.

Here We Go: 9/10
This is a reggaeton-style song with primarily singing instead of rapping, Asian influences, and some nice mariachi style horns during the bridge. Jabu's style is a perfect mix during the rap portion of this song. Overall, this is a catchy song and a different twist on reggaeton.

La Temperatura: 10/10
The second of 3 Spanish-only songs (La Gallina & Violeta) is probably the most up-tempo song on the album. While this song was inspired by the immigrant rights marches during the summer of 2006, its message is spread with a positive vibe that everyone can enjoy.

Violeta: 10/10
This is primarily a ballad that is lyrically one of the best songs Ozomatli has ever written. It tells the trials and tribulations of a soldier in the Middle East. The gang chorus toward the end is a great touch that really rounds out the song well.

Creo: 8/10
This song contains a catchy chorus, socially conscious rap lyrics, and a nice bridge from Asdru. My complaint with this song is the music itself. It's a little bit too simple for my tastes, and I wish there was another instrument added to the mix. Ultimately, the beat isn't that catchy.

When I Close My Eyes: 10/10
This is a modern ska song that combines great keyboards, horns, and the most rock-driven guitar riffs I've heard in an Ozomatli song. The lyrics and music are excellent, and the song ends up sounding great.

La Segunda Mano: 9/10
This song features vocals from Martha of the great band Quetzal. It's the first song that Jabu gets to rap on his own, and this is a fan favorite. I love the music and the chorus. My only complaint is that Martha's lyrics seem too deep and poetic for Jabu's goofy lyrical edge.

Overall album: 9.3/10 (4.6/5)
This may not be the best Ozomatli album, but it's still great. If they don't make it big with this album, they never will. I can't imagine them making a more accessible album without starting to abandon who they are as a band.

Which may be why some listeners object. "Dragon's" good and it may be their entree into more acknowledgement. "Street Signs" is probably my favorite of their CDs and more indicative of their work, but this is still a great melange of a lot of different styles and worth the investment.