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Road Block (Hitbound, 1995 [orig. released 1982?]) Looking at the animated cover of this album, you might think that the material contained within is vibrant, fun, and freewheeling. You might also think that Propecia is an island in the Mediterranean. Quite simply, Road Block put me to sleep. There's little life to either the vocals -- which have a generic medium high-pitched Horace Andy/Barry Brown type of air -- or the music -- which consists of re-hashed rhythms (classics, but a bit overly familiar at times). The slow, rumbling catchy title track is undoubtedly the best-known of the bunch (remade by Shinehead on his Praises album), but the lovers-edged "So Long" might be the best tune on the album. "In a Man's Heart" and "Come Back Darling" are both decent, but they are merely decaf when what is called for is a double tall mocha grande latte frappaccino to keep you awake. It all just sounds so half-hearted and familiar. This album knows its style -- early pre-digital dancehall utilizing old rhythms versioned umpteen times on the Channel one label -- and it sticks to it to the end...the plodding, straight-laced, predictable end. I'm not saying that Road Block is terrible (and I'm sure there are some who consider it to be a classic), but it's nothing that will jump up and grab you. |
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