Reviews

EP Review: The Goodies hit all the right notes while connecting reggae and pop
Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake

EP Review: The Goodies hit all the right notes while connecting reggae and pop

The Goodies hit all the right notes while connecting reggae and pop in their debut self-titled EP, and wow does the new music sound good! Now you may have watched one of the San Diego duo’s jamming videos on social media, or be a long time fan of Jus Goodie (Justin Goodman), either way I love what The Goodies are doing and expect many big things ahead!

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Album Review: It’s time to go Daytrippin with Iration’s eighth studio album!
Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake

Album Review: It’s time to go Daytrippin with Iration’s eighth studio album!

After months of being teased with top-notch singles, the highly anticipated new Iration album, Daytrippin, is officially here and it's just as good as you’d expect. I have to say, the vibe of Daytrippin is very reminiscent of a younger Iration, and I can’t get enough of it. Not to discount anything in their discography, but it sounds a lot more like the band I fell in love with almost 15 years ago. Read the review now!

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Album Review: Common Kings invite you to party down with CELEBRATION!
Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake

Album Review: Common Kings invite you to party down with CELEBRATION!

The ultra-smooth Orange County quartet known as Common Kings are back to put their signature island vibes into the pop-reggae scene with a brand new album fittingly titled CELEBRATION. Almost two years in the making and filtered down from an incredible 120 songs to just 12, CELEBRATION aims to get you in the mood to shake around and sing aloud!

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Album Review: “Feels Like Home” highlights Triple Thread’s journey into Southern California reggae rockers
Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake

Album Review: “Feels Like Home” highlights Triple Thread’s journey into Southern California reggae rockers

When you read Triple Thread’s bio, you’re struck by the band’s nationwide beginnings as three out of the five band members grew up outside of California. Inspiration struck and what started as a journey west began to feel like home and this excitement and energy is what I hear when I listen to the Orange County reggae rock band’s debut album, “Feels Like Home”.

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Album Review: Find your zen by listening to Iration’s “Backyard Sessions: Malibu Edition”
Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake

Album Review: Find your zen by listening to Iration’s “Backyard Sessions: Malibu Edition”

I’ve been listening to Iration for years and it’s inspiring to follow the band’s continued rise and consistent ability to release reggae, rock and pop blended music that brings fans an amazing sense of zen and happiness. The band’s new live album, “Backyard Sessions: Malibu Edition” shows off Iration’s togetherness, incredible songwriting and brings new life into fan favorite songs.

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Album Review: Having roots deep in Santa Cruz soil, Pacific Roots is "Still Standing" taller than ever with their brand new album!
Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake

Album Review: Having roots deep in Santa Cruz soil, Pacific Roots is "Still Standing" taller than ever with their brand new album!

On the coast of California south of San Francisco and north of Cali Roots location Monterey lies the beach town of Santa Cruz. The community has become well known for both its surf and stoner culture, both of which heavily influence the music coming out of the city. The legendary band The Expendables have been the global ambassadors for Santa Cruz's reggae/ska sound for the past couple of decades, finding a home in speakers of reggae fans around the world with their unique blend of reggae, ska, punk, and heavy Iron Maiden inspired guitar riffs. As we move into the year 2022 it is the talented and creative band Pacific Roots that is now making a name for themselves as the next Santa Cruz group to bring this brand of music to the reggae masses. The band has grown over the past few years from roots planted deep in the Northern California soil, and with their brand new album have made it known they are "Still Standing" taller than ever.

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Album Review: Fortunate Youth reminds us of the good to be found in every day with the amazing new LP, Good Times (Roll On)
Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake

Album Review: Fortunate Youth reminds us of the good to be found in every day with the amazing new LP, Good Times (Roll On)

As we approach the end of 2021, we look back on a deeply tumultuous two years. Anger, fear, and anxiety are on the rise in all individuals across the board; and along with these feelings, a cloud of negative thoughts and emotions has slowly been forming over our collective well-being. This is precisely why the world needs a band like Southern California's Fortunate Youth (FY). In this time of strife and uncertainty, FY has created an album reminding us to look on the bright side, enjoy the company of those we care about, and put our worries aside when the medicine for our injured soul is partying it up with friends and having a kick-ass night. Having a bad day? Throw on Fortunate Youth's new LP "Good Times (Roll On)" and see how you feel.

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Album Review: Punk, Reggae, and DIY attitude, Kyle Smith’s debut album is far from a “Lost Cause”
Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake Daily Reggae Album Review Chris Blake

Album Review: Punk, Reggae, and DIY attitude, Kyle Smith’s debut album is far from a “Lost Cause”

Reggae and punk rock music have long been intertwined. Both cultures embody a DIY attitude and a rejection of social norms that divide and oppress, and though the exact expression of this rebel mentality and promotion of a more equal and inclusive community differ between the two, the common ethos they share has led to amazing music combining the genres for decades. For many reggae fans their initial introduction to the genre came through punk; whether it be from classic punkers like The Clash, third wave ska bands like Reel Big Fish and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, or current artists blending reggae and punk such as Slightly Stoopid. Such a musical journey is shared by this reviewer as well, with my personal introduction to reggae starting with the punk band NOFX, which led me to bands like Sublime and The Expendables, further leading to Rebelution, and from there the whole genre opened up before me. I am far from alone in this experience, one which I especially share with my fellow West Coast Americans.

The combination of punk and reggae is far from over, and there are amazing new artists continuing this legacy that you should be aware of.The combination of punk and reggae is far from over, and there are amazing new artists continuing this legacy that you should be aware of. Enter the great Kyle Smith and his debut full-length album "Lost Cause".

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