My Amazon Reviews: Matisyahu "Akeda"

He's your "Hasidic reggae superstar"
3 Out Of 5 Stars

Matisyahu knows who he wants to be, and as your "Hasidic reggae superstar" (as he refers to himself on the song "Watch The Walls Melt Down" and "Confidence"), he's out to deliver his upbeat and spiritual message by hip-hop, reggae and rap beats and singing. At least he's aware that he's got that market cornered. That's not a bad thing. In a musical genre that usually depends on telling you just what a piece of crap the world is, Matisyau wants you to listen to him cheer you on until you become a "Champion." (One of a few very poppy songs on "Akeda.")

Between the soul searching ("Surrender") and the dancehall party songs (the excellent first single "Watch The Walls Melt Down"), Matisyahu is happy to mix styles and emotions into a coherent album. You can pick the messenger, be it you or God as defined by Matisyahu's Jewish roots, just as long as you feel it. I think his previous album, "Spark Seeker," was a bit more adventurous, but "Akeda" still shows Matisyahu in control of his message and image, and refusing to be pigeon-holed.

     

My Amazon Reviews: Matisyahu "Light"

No Longer Just a Novelty
4 Out Of 5 Stars

The trail of Matisyahu is one of an unlikely pop star. Highschool dropout cum jam band devotee cum reggae/hip-hop devotee, his stage antics made him something of a flavor of the month. I have to admit, the press made me want to find out more about him, and his albums filled the bill. This generously bearded kid sounded like the real deal, but he also had the potential to become yesterday's news.

"Light" aims to break beyond the back story to make Matisyahu into a music force to be reckoned with. Musically, it succeeds. Sadly, his hipster cred appears to have vaporized; while "Youth" debuted in the Top 5, "Light" barely made the Top 20 and fell off the charts quickly after.

Which is to point at the crappy tastes of hipsters. "Light" is a huge major leap from "Youth" in that Matisyahu stretches out from the reggae/Hip-Hop and pushes into rock and roll ("Motivate") and blends genres throughout the album. The simple and solemn "Silence" closes the album with a soft and tender ballad. Producer David Kahne - who has worked with everyone from Paul McCartney to Fishbone - gives an able assist to "Light's" skimming of styles. But it all comes down to Matisyahu himself. On "Light," he proves he is here for keeps. The winter Olympics made his best song here, the spiritual call to arms of "One Day," unavoidable. If the release of the album managed to slip under your radar, rest assured that "Light" is worth a few spins on your disc player.

My Amazon Reviews: Matisyahu "No Place to Be/Live in Israel"

Time to to go somewhere new.
3 Out Of 5 Stars


Basically a Re-mix EP partnered with a full-length concert CD, Matisyahu's "No Place To Be" is best reviewed as a concert disc. And "Live In Israel" is one average performance. Matisyahu is a charismatic person, but he's a static performer. He does have a crack band, and they deliver on his songs. He just needs a little more animation (and this from a man who got some of the original attention to his shows because he was a Hasidic Jew who would stage dive in full regalia).

The songs on the EP are decent, but only two are new. He does well with Sting's "Message in a Bottle," and the brand new "Warrior" matches anything on Youth. Then there are re-presentations of two of his best songs, "Jerusalem" and "Chop 'Em Down." Add three remixes of "Youth," "Message In A Bottle" and an absolute wretched deconstruction of "Jerusalem," and you have the EP. After two studio and one live albums, this is spreading his so-far meager catalog a bit thin.

Not the best introduction to a performer whom I think is extraordinary when he's 100% on, "No Place To Be" is easily bypassed. If you want a concert Matisyahu, hit the Live At Stubbs, or get the studio albums "Youth" or the recent Light.