Itany (Hope Massive, 2008)

*GUEST REVIEW*
These guys sound fine when they stick to straight-up reggae, but like a few other up-and-coming American reggae bands, they throw in some rockish textures here and there that may not be to every reggae listener's taste. Still, when they're good, they're good, nailing roots, dancehall, a dose of ska and even a bhangra/Middle Eastern-flavored thing on the brief opener "Meditation." I thought this might turn into more of a reggae fusion sort of album after such a start and was a trifle disappointed when it didn't. As the songs progressed, though, I found other things to enjoy: nice playing, offbeat vocals (one of the singers sounds a little like early Elvis Costello), subject matter that sways easily between whimsical and serious, etc. While not every track is killer, there's raw talent and a committed spirit at work here. What's needed, to my ears, is a measure of restraint and focus that could help this band create a really remarkable album. I guess that makes their name prophetic in a way.

- Tom Orr