Passafire

Submersible

Law Records

(Passafire MySpace)

Immediately blinding on Passafire’s follow-up album is the creative and unique sounds new bassist Will Kubley pushes the band in. It sounds almost as if Les Claypool from Primus or even Flea has joined a reggae band.

Personally I love this new evolution of the East Coast band’s sound, as it now truly separates them from the rest of the reggae rock pack. Self-producing and releasing on an independent label, Law Records, has enabled Passafire to allow the songs room to flourish and not be restricted by radio-friendly minded producers. That’s not to say the album is devoid of any catchy moments with Who You Know and Divide offering up some truly hook laden highlights.

Like good reggae, nothing here ever seems rushed and allows the band to explore as many grooves as its minds can create; which is quite a lot. Take a listen to the glorious and ever changing title track, Submersible, driving from funk reggae to Chili Pepper like funk thrash. Or my personal favorite Kilo, with its groove driven back-end jam session.

Full credit has to go to the entire band, with each individual bringing creative and vital musicianship contributing to Passafire’s ever expansive sound. You will hear nothing more groove inspired this year, no matter the style of music compared, than with the amazing unified riffage as demonstrated on the thunderous Asteroid and album closer Reverie.

At the end of the day, if you believe a bassist should be mostly seen and not heard and most certainly should not own more than one effects pedal; Passafire may not be the band for you. However for the rest of us, the group has utilized its progressive rock influences perfectly to perhaps make the most memorable album of the year.

Reviewed by Pilipo

You can purchase Submersible online here