Reggae Gold 2002 (VP, 2002)

OK, so we're up to the 10th anniversary of the historic Reggae Gold series, and what better way to celebrate than to . . . release possibly the worst one yet.  "Irritating" is the only word I can think of when I describe this album, for several reasons.  First: once again, heavy digital dancehall riddims dominate.  I know, I know, it's a sign of the times, but roots has made quite a comeback in the past few years, and it's not like there's so little great modern roots by comparison (although if you listened strictly to VP releases, you'd think this was the case).  Second: the songs chosen, whether dancehall or not, are amazingly mediocre.  Granted, VP has their hands tied somewhat if they're gonna base the song selections on what's been popular, but I'm sure they have some leeway to balance out the sound.  I mean, I listen to tracks like Bounty Killer's "Killa Is ah Killa" and I think, "This is gold???"  There are only, like, 10 tracks on his Art of War better than this.  Even usually dependable artists like Beres Hammond, Morgan Heritage, Elephant Man, Capleton, and Sanchez deliver little punch.  Third: the corrosive influence of American hip-hop culture is pervasive throughout this album.  Not that there are a lot of hip-hop beats and raps (thankfully) -- although Baby Cham's "Middle Finger" seems almost a rap song at times.  Rather, it's the slang and attitude that prove most bothersome.  All the "Shizzle My Nizzle"s and "bottle of mo"s and "jigga"s and "Hennessy"s and "haters" and "dawgs" and "thugs" and "shorties" and "making papers"...ugh, it's just too much.  Part of the reason I enjoy reggae is because it's refreshingly DIFFERENT from all the stuff you hear on the radio and see on TV all the damn time.  Fourth: the homosexual backlash is equally as pervasive and probably even more unnerving.  Granted, gay-bashing is not new in Jamaica nor is it new in reggae music, but suddenly it seems like the "hip" thing is to do an anti-gay song.  And while denouncing homosexuality is one thing, advocating violence -- which some songs do -- is quite another.  While I'd expect such songs from young dancehall up-and-comers like T.O.K. and Ward 21, on Reggae Gold 2002, we even have vets like Capleton and Sanchez delivering lines like "bun out the chi chi" and "we don't want no chi chi man."  Thus far, I haven't mentioned a song that I actually do like on this album because there really aren't any that I actively enjoy.  Sure, there are some decent tunes -- Capleton and Luciano's "Hail King Selassie," Freddie McGregor's "Uncle Sam," Lady Saw's "Baddest Girl," Warrior King's "Pagan," and Tanto Metro & Devonte's "Give It to Her" -- but there is so little that's enjoyable here, I almost tag these tunes as good by default.  They're alright, but this album is definitely not, in my book.  Bun out the Reggae Gold series if this keeps up.