Customer Reviews

Say What You Mean

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since I LOVE Maktub's CD "Khronos" (2003), I bought this one without even listening first. While mildly disappointed, this is still a solid CD.

Compared to "Khronos", this is heavier and darker. Less pop, more hard rock. This CD isn't as fun, and won't be as much of a party crowd-pleaser.

On the upside, Reggie's voice is still wonderfully rich and soulful, and the guitar is smoking.

Minor qualms: short (45 minutes) and no written lyrics (unlike "Khronos").

Bottom line: Maktub fans might want to give this a listen (online, at record store, etc.) before buying. Newbies who aren't hard rock fans might consider "Khronos" instead.

I've heard the term "Heavy Soul" thrown around a lot when talking about Maktub, and it seems to fit. This is lush R+B/neo soul with touches of rock guitar and feedback. After wading through dozens of cookie-cutter pop-punk and emo bands, it's great to hear a band just do what they want without trying to fit into one specific genre. The result...it certainly works for me! The band and arrangements are super tight, but the thing that hits me the most are the vocals. You really, really have to be able to sing to pull of a style like this, and luckily Maktub's vocalist is more than up to the task. The production in spots reminds me of some 90s R+B, and while I wasn't a fan of much of that stuff, in this context it works really well. The songs are thick with pumping bass and kick drum and topped off with crunchy guitar and warm-sounding keyboard/organ. I'm very happy I bought this, it's a great album and I listen to it frequently. Highly reccomended!

If Maktub is a Rock & Soul band, then "Say What You Mean" (SWYM) is a bit heavier on the 'Rock' than "Khronos" was, their previous CD. That said, Reggie "The Voice" Watts' incredibly soulful vocals are probably capable of making Black Sabbath sound like a soul band!

Having seen the band live performing most of the songs from SWYM, I love this CD even more. As with Khronos, SWYM is in heavy rotation in our household. It has (in my humble opinion) fewer instantly likeable songs than "Khronos", but a couple of them - Say What You Mean, Daily Dosage, Right To Breathe - are very infectious after only one listening. As a side note, the beginning of Right To Breathe is almost reminiscent in mood and tone of several Seal songs. Nobody Loves You Like I Do is another great song, and Blown Away is my least favorite tune.

Maktub is a great band to see live. If you have a chance, go see them. Reggie Watt's vocals are even more impressive in person - he is capable of improvising with the best of them. He is truly a musician. The rhythm section is also very, very tight. My wife and I got to chat with all of the guys in the band after their show in Baltimore, and they were all really nice, pleasant, and easy to talk to. No super-inflated egos.

All in all, SWYM is not coming out of my CD player for a while. If I do take it out, it'll be to replace it with "Khronos".

This is a platinum album.

And that's exactly what's wrong with it.

Maktub's vibe and musical & Reggie Watts' vocal abilities shine through with ease on the band's 3rd release, but the shine on "Say What You Mean" is a bit too glossy coming from the earthy groove of "Khronos".

No doubt the band wanted to take its music in a different, more focused direction, and this project is just that - different & focused. This is not a hard rock record, so don't let the previous comments fool you (want hard rock? see: AudioSlave, etc.), but it is an almagamation of new wave and pop-rock with just a pinch of soul. Not as much new wave as the band's 1st release "Subtle Ways," not as much soul as the 2nd go-round "Khronos", more pop-rock than anything else, so for me (definitely anit-pop-rock) the initial experience of "Say What You Mean" was an enormous let down.

But after listening to this project as a standalone effort, I guess it does what Bob Powers (who worked extensively with the band on production and recording) wanted it to do. The production is much more slicker than anything we've heard from Maktub before, the songs are much more structured and the grooving is kept to a minimum. Reggie's vocals, though, keep getting better and the band, of course, tighter.

After all is said and done, though, I can't help feeling that the gritty Maktub we've come to know & love has sold its soul and musical integrity for the sake of having a potential crossover-popular, MTV-ready piece of production, rather than a true-to-yourself piece of art.

Goodbye hole-in-the-wall venues. Hello arenas.

A pity.

Preface: this is a totally biased review. I am a huge fan of Maktub. Saw them several weeks back in Boulder, CO and hearing this song live was no disappointment. They are a very tight band but without being too 'professional' and thereby draining the music of feeling. The album is sweet, too.

Review: if you like soul, but also crave something a bit heavier at the same time, you're going to like this album - and this band. If you like song lyrics about romance that are touching because they come across as real and heartfelt, not sappy, then you are going to like these words.

Maktub has grown on me with time. They may well do the same for you. Heavy, soulful and beautiful. If you get a chance, check them out live - they are on tour now in the US [and Vancouver, BC].

El Guapo

You probably have friends who don't like country music, but love Johnny Cash. Or perhaps they don't like reggae, but love Bob Marley; or they don't vote Republican, but admire John McCain's stance on Campaign Finance Reform.

Likewise, Maktub play funk and soul for both the lovers and the fighters of funk and soul music. I'm marginally in the latter category. But enjoying Say What You Mean, the new third record from one of Seattle's most popular bands, is just so easy. It's so smooth; it's so sexy; it's so right. It's just so. It all boils down to the amazing charisma of frontman Reggie Watts.

Watts exudes confidence, charm, and oozing warmth. When I caught his solo act at Neumo's a couple of weeks ago, I was blown away by his set - which was more improv and performance art than, "uh, this is the second song on our new record - you can find it at the merch table over there." His between-song banter was spontaneous as it was hilarious. He introduced his drummer Davis Martin (who is also in Maktub) as a "Level 7 Ranger," and I'm pretty sure he had at least one song in his set about Dungeons and Dragons.

Although the D&D song didn't make it on Say What You Mean, in its place are tracks that make Lovage sound so 2004. Watt's dulcet voice enervates every song with mesmerizing sensuality, seemingly channeling Marvin Gaye at his "Let's Get it On" best.

Read the rest of the review here: http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/maktub05apr.asp

I've been a fan of Maktub in Seattle since I saw them open for India.Arie a few years ago and can't think of a local band I'd rather see live. This is a great album but go see them live if you ever get the chance.

Love these guys!!!
Saw lead singer Reggie Watts singing with Soulive during a Dave Matthews Band tour...found out he was actually the lead for Maktub!!...bought the cd and fell in love with them! They are amazing.

I cannot claim to be a new Maktub fan - and therefore I'm trying to be as objective as possible. This album is great. Like the other Maktub albums, this one sneaks up on you when you least expect it. No matter what volume you listen at, the tracks seem to speak to you. They have a way of creeping into your head heart and soul - and frankly make you want to sing along!

While nothing can capture the sound of this band live, this album does a great job of showcasing Maktub's tremendous talent and range. My favorite track is 'Blown Away' for its simplicity and originality - but seriously check out 'Daily Dosage' and 'Hunt You Down' too. Those 3 tracks alone will make you wonder if you're listening to the same band.

If they keep this up they'll be at the grammys in no time.

Maktub, once again has plugged themselves as a constant in my musical rotation. Upon receipt of "Say What You Mean" I spun the album 3-4 times straight through. The great anticipation I had for this release, proved true. The powerful vocals set down by Reggie are familiar yet lyrically progressive and the comforting Maktub sound of past releases, while Thaddeus guitar work has drives the sound deep into ones memory, in my opinion one of the strongest guitarist in rock right now. Daniel's keys, Davis' drums and Kevin's bass strings work in harmony to build each track to explosive heights. You can honestly hear the band having fun while this album was recorded. "20 Years" and "Right to breathe" will bring goose-bumps to any and all Maktub fans. While "Hunt you Down" and "Promise" kick around in your head for hours between listenings. Produced by Bob Power, "Say What You Mean" is a very clean, sharp and well appointed pressing that is sure to please every listener that spins this disc. Buy this album and experience Northwest Rock, Soul and Funk again, for the first time.....