Record Label: SideOneDummy Records
Genre: Folk/Rock/Reggae
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

Not being very familiar with Bedouin Soundclash, this is the first time that I’ve had a chance to listen to one of their albums. What I was expecting was not really what I got out of the band but upon further listen, I got more than I expected.

From what I’ve heard of the band via a few music videos here and there, I categorized Bedouin Soundclash as more of a reggae band similar to Westbound Train or the Aggrolites. In actuality, they are much more than that. Their sound mixes reggae with soul and folk rock with a splash of various island musical stylings. On “Street Gospels”,the reggae is more prevalent than anything else and I’m reminded more of the Police or the Exit without the punk.

Each and every track sounds so much different than the last and you can get lost in the variety but when you put them all together, you get the overall Bedouin Soundclash sound. They do a great job of meshing everything together. At one point, there’s a mellow reggae tune followed by an a cappella song and then a folk rock song. Even though each song is drastically different, the multiple vocals and harmonies on each remind you that this is the same band that you are listening to.

One thing that turns me off about Bedouin Soundclash would be the lead vocalists’ voice on certain occasions. It can get whiny and irritating at some points particularly on the slower rock songs. It’s almost gravely but not quite raspy.

To wrap things up, “Street Gospels” was diverse enough to warrant repeat listens but I’ll find myself skipping a few tracks here and there. There are quite a few good songs, but I think that the rest should have been left behind. Instead, they’ll find themselves blasting from some girls’ frat room radio.

Bottom Line: Folk reggae rock with too much folk and not enough rock. Lot’s of beach bum reggae though.
Notable Tracks: Walls Fall Down, St. Andrews, Gunships
Overall Rating: