Customer Reviews

Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This album is pretty good for what it is, but I kind of wish they had taken the concept further.

Problem is that this disc still sounds too close to the original Beatles songs. I've heard those arrangements a million times, so I was hoping this album would deliver a lot more radically altered, dubbed-out re-interpretations of this material. It's as if too much reverance for the originals seems to have held these guys back from putting more of their own stamp on it. That's too bad.

I also have to compare it against the Easy Star's high-water mark, which was Dub Side of the Moon. That work sounded really different from the original, in part because dub music is so much more light-hearted and relaxed than the angst-ridden, dark Floyd music of the original. Here they are starting from an album that is already very light and sunshiny, so the addition of the dub elements do not sound so out of place. This, in turn, makes the dub versions less interesting, as there is less tension between the feel of the originals and what you are hearing in the cover versions.

Otherwise the musicianship, vocals and overall vibe make this a very very good tribute to Sgt. Pepper's and quite an enjoyable listen. Despite not meeting my personal hopes for this album, it is still a solid work.

Another thoroughly successful album by the quintessential reggae infused remake band. With Pink Floyd and Radiohead remakes under their belts, why not The Beatles? Let me say they pull it off with the utmost professionalism. With guests like Steel Pulse, Matisyahu, Michael Rose, Bunny Rugs, and Ranking Roger, you really can't go wrong. It's a must have for anyone who has had the pleasure of listening to Easy Star All-Stars in the past. Some fans of The Beatles might be standoffish but I think with Easy Star All-Stars track record, this is a major success!

After 5 straight years of charting success with `The Dub Side of the Moon,' the Easy Dub All Stars have returned from their highatus, this time turning their sights from Pink Floyd and dropping their magical mystery blend of rastadub on the Beatles. `Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band' hit last week and is quintessential summer party fare.

I don't particularly like reggae and I didn't think I'd like this at all. In fact, I didn't want to like it because my iPod is already overflowing. But I absolutely loved every track. No kidding, every single track. Some tracks were, (dare I say it?), an improvement over the Beatles originals; quite a statement from someone who has all of the Beatles on vinyl, CD and the remastered mono box set. Every song from Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band through A Day In The Life adds fresh ideas, spot on vocals, and great electronic sound effects to this timeless Beatles classic. This is a very hard thing to do and no one has ever done it better. Cheap Trick made an uninspired attempt to basically copy the album in August 2009 (just a few months after this was released) and their effort was a cheap trick. There was also the Sgt. Pepper's movie of 1978 in which the Sgt. Pepper's songs were interleaved with other Beatles songs, but they passed on Within You Without You. Both the movie and the soundtrack were drivel. I love the Bee Gees, but they should stick to singing their own songs. I never liked the Beatles' own versions of their songs She's Leaving Home, Within You Without You, Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!, and When I'm Sixty-Four, but the fresh new renditions by the Easy Star All-Stars turned me around on those songs. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! is a vast improvement over the original and the song will finally be welcome on my iPod. The extended psychedelic endings for Fixing A Hole and When I'm Sixty-Four are very cool and tasteful. The female vocals and heavy reggae beat for She's Leaving Home are just what this song needed to give it what it was missing--soul. Within You Without you is made much more interesting by combining sitar and tabla with a rock/reggae beat.

I don't give many 5-star ratings and this one is well-deserved.

This album is solid, in a background music kind of way. Not at all the genius of Dubside or Radiodread, nor is it a good example of what roots reggae music can do; except for one track. Sugar Minott, who is known for putting his touch on music and production no matter the studio or producer, turned "When I'm 64" into an incredible reggae tune. The track uses scales of the heavenless riddim, and has all the stops and drops of great showcase style dub. It is inventive and unique, while the rest of the album seems to have generic dub effects and structure. Other tunes that I thought were pretty nice are "She's Leaving Home," sung by a woman, and Frankie Paul's "Lucy in the Sky"- this dude has a classic voice, and knows how to jam a tune. My main issue with the album is that it is nowhere near as nice to listen to as the original, which can't be said of E.S.A.S's previous cover albums. I'd honestly rather listen to Dubside or Radiodread in most situations (instead of listening to the originals) because these very dark albums are brightened up and yet retain their beauty with the reggae translation. I don't think that the All-Stars should only cover dark albums, but I think it is much more difficult to make a reggae cover album of an already gloriously positive album like Lonely Hearts Club Band. With that said, I still enjoy the album very much and look forward to more of these future classics.

Michael Goldwasser and his merry band of Easy Star dubsters pay fitting tribute to The Beatles classic concept album, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' in classy fashion. I was initially intrigued by their Pink Floyd 'Dub Side Of The Moon' project and really sold on their cover album concept with their take on 'OK Computer' by Radiohead, aptly titled 'Radiodread.' However, 'Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band' showcases the band selecting the perfect album to flex their reggae re-interpretational skills. Perhaps the perfect album to throw on and welcome in Spring, this one works for all ages, 3 to 83! And don't miss Matisyahu's guest spot on "Within You Without You." Hopefully this is a tease of the new direction he's taking for his new album this summer.

Amazing dub reggae mixed with classical rock! Stays true to original Beatle album, but with their own unique spin on it! If Beatles were a reggae band, this is how they would sound. The guest singers take it to a whole another level. Definitely a must buy!!

Quite a pleasant listen, but way too close to the original. Maybe Bill Laswell should have tackled this project! Needs more bass-heavy DUB!

Given that Sgt Pepper's is one of the most original and creative LP's of all time, I was really curious how these guys would approach this material - and I loved it! I like their own take on the music, there's a slight change in lyrics here and there (fits perfectly) and the reggae treatment of the music works well for almost every song. I really love what they did with "Within You Without You". A couple selections are a bit weak, and don't make the transition quite so well, but overall a fun, enjoyable listen.

I listened to the beatles original "sgt peppers lonely hearts club band" cd for a few days before purchasing this cd.I wanted to see if it still held the same attraction it did years ago when at the time of it's release it was a ground breaking departure from the music of it's time.There's no doubt,it is still a masterfull piece of musicianship with sounds so diverse but yet intertwined seemingly as if meant to be a modern operatic piece.Now along comes "easy star all stars" to add another dimension to this music which enhances but in no way detracts from the original.If like me you like the resonance of the dub genre in all it's various forms,give this a listen,you won't be disappointed.The artists who collaborate on this cd are as diverse within the dub genre as is the music on the cd.You have artists from the early 70's dub era to the present weaving their dread magic into the mix & taking the vibe to another level, from psychedelic pop into rasta consciousness.It flows beautifully,pleasant to the ear & if dubs your thing,it's as essential a part of your music collection as the original "sgt peppers".