Doug Means Project

DMP 1.0

Self Released

(Doug Means Project MySpace)

Doug Means has been dropping some great music since the late 90s, beginning with the highly influential Long Beach favorites Nobody Cares. Now on the solo tip, but supported by an amazing band, Doug Means is continuing to entertain with his unique blend of funk, rock and reggae.

While Nobody Cares was primarily a ska/reggae band, overall DMP 1.0 is more of a rock album with funk/hip hop influences. Either way Doug Means still knows how to bring the good times. This is demonstrated by such tracks like Don’t Worry Bout Nuna Dat, which is such a funky care free song it is guaranteed to spread the smiles and so will the fun driving rock of Hiding Out, with Anesha Rose on co-lead vocals and its catchy mid-song funk breakdown.

The album’s biggest attention grabber is the funky Guaranteed, its power is undeniable when it explodes into the heavy rock chorus and Doug shouts, “everything happens for a reason.” A similar song construction of funk transitioning to banging rock is utilized on Shark Tank with as equally effective results.

The artwork for DMP 1.0 displays a mix prehistoric and futuristic times. This ‘coming together’ approach of old and new is mirrored in the music, with Doug Means taking the positive vibes, soul and fun of his past work and combining it here with new rock and funk progressions. So just as the amazing cover art, it goes without saying plenty of thought and creativity has also gone into this release.

Reviewed by Pilipo