Hills and Valleys (Yapabot, 2005)

*GUEST REVIEW*
The Reggae Bubblers' second album, Hills and Valleys is a strange album. It's strange because it's good, but it has few of the makings of a good album. The songs are fun, but simple and formulaic. The vocals fit with the music, but often off-key and nonchalant. The lyrics are also not very remarkable and sometimes cheesy. Also, the instrumentation is at times cheesy. But at the same time, the music is completely genuine. Reggae Bubblers are a positive and punchy roots band whose songs sound like, well, bubbling reggae. One drop rhythms courtesy of T-Rock, bouncy keyboards, and straight ahead bass and guitars are graced by Israel Vibration-ish vocals from brothers Cheech and Hayba. They sing about ganja and love a lot, but mostly they touch moral and biblical themes. Often times, the softness of their vibe makes the music sound a bit like kids' reggae, and to a certain extent that's true, but only in so far as it speaks to the child in the reggae listener. So get past the cheesy sounds and simple songs, and try these guys out. You'll probably feel greater harmony by the time that second beat drops. Recommended songs are "Hills and Valleys" (not Buju Banton's song), "Afrika Unite" (not Bob Marley's masterpiece), "Rise Up", "Oh Mother oh Mother," and my personal favorite, "Stress and Strive." 

- Trammell Scruggs