Easy Star All Stars Radiodread Label: Easy Star Release Date:08/28/2006

Whose pot-addled mind decided this was a good idea?

A reggae interpretation of Radiohead’s OK Computer– the OK Computer? Lemme look up right-quick to make sure the sky isn’t falling. At worst, this endeavor would be downright sacrilege. At best, it would be nothing short of mind-blowing genius.

But the Easy Star All-Stars, a collective of the Easy Star record label’s best and brightest, aren’t daunted by Herculean tasks. Radiodread, released on August 22, is the second reggae cover album attempt from the All-Stars. Dub Side of the Moon, based on Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (duh), was their first.

Radiodread gets off to a slow start as Horace Andy’s “Airbag,” Kirsty Rock’s “Paranoid Android” and Junior Jazz’s “Subterranean Homesick Alien” lack the sexiness of the originals– obviously recorded before Timberlake brought sexy back. All three have seemingly forgotten the crucial ingredient to any notable cover: contradiction, or at the very least, innovative interpretation. They practically begged for scrutiny and comparison by borrowing too heavily from the original. So boys and girls, if you’re gonna bring me a cover, fuckin’ bring it. Nouvelle Vague, Cat Power, or even the Tallywood String Quartet can back me on that one.

Thankfully, the album gains momentum by the fourth track. Sugar Minott’s “Exit Music (For a Film)” saves the album from spiraling toward forgettable. Although Minott is no match for the Thom Yorke’s evocative range, he counters Yorke’s hushed imperative with sultrier, less depressing vocals. The presence of percussion and tasteful harmony throughout the track also injects more energy and builds more suspense before the payoff.

Toots and the Maytals do “Let Down” in true Toot fashion, quickly paced and upbeat. It has a little less dub but a little more of everything else, soul, ska, gospel and kick ass. A great song, but sandwiched between the heavier “Exit Music” and Citizen Cope’s “Karma Police” it’s as incongruous as a clown at a wake. The haunting harmonies and carnival-like keyboards on “Karma Police” surprisingly do the song justice. And I actually prefer the Menny More version of “Fitter Happier” because, well, Jamaican accents are cooler than robot gibberish.

Call it an even trade on “Electioneering” as Morgan Heritage replaces pure rock with pure dub. By the time the breakdown hits you even stop pining for the missing cowbell. Coincidentally, last three songs: The Meditation’s “No Surprises,” Frankie Paul’s “Lucky,” and Israel Vibration - Skelly Vibe’s “The Tourist,” are similar to the first three songs, lacking in creativity and vigor. Like a jelly doughnut, all the action’s in the middle.

So what’s the verdict? Although graves haven’t been robbed and heads haven’t exploded, the Easy Star All-Stars deliver a solid album that any Radiohead or reggae fan can appreciate. Radiodread may never get as much praise or attention as OK Computer, but if its attempt to bridge two very distinct sounds wins a few converts consider it mission accomplished.

Easy Star All Stars - Myspace

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 28th, 2006 at 3:07 pm and is filed under CD/LP. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.