Dogboy

Rebel Riddim

Suburban Noize Records

(Dogboy MySpace)

Is it just me, or is Dogboy heavily underrated? I mean, his self-titled first Too Rude release, was traditional reggae at its finest with some punky attitude. Next up Re-Invention, as the name suggested, saw Dogboy lead Too Rude to a more punk and reggae style, resulting in a classic album with some punk riff-age that Pennywise would be proud of. Now, in his tradesman like approach, Dogboy completes the tri-fecta with the immediately impressive Rebel Riddim. This time around successfully tackling a more dancehall and pop soul feel.

In the beginning Rebel Riddim’s first single, Can’t Buy Soul, didn’t do much for me, as it seemed like a Smash Mouth-like attempt at a hit pop song. However, when listening to it in the context of the album it plays better and sits perfectly in-between the catchy album title-track and the passionate and driving rhythms of Dear Jamaica (Stand Strong).

While Dogboy tackles some serious issues like on Daddy, What is War? and Desperate Times; it is when he is at his most playful where this album is at its most enjoyable, with songs like the rude-ish Locked and Loaded and She’s Driving. Speaking of driving, there is nothing better than cruising in your car blasting the opening track, Return of the One Drop. It could be slightly dangerous though; when the keys and beat kicks in, there will be just no stopping ya.

Achieving a solid three from three for all his albums to date, Dogboy seems to do no wrong with whatever style he attempts. With a new Too Rude album coming just around the corner and with a change in direction again (rumored to be 70’s style punk and reggae), I can’t wait to hear how effortlessly Dogboy will most likely triumph again. I guess for those of us in the know, he is anything but underrated and deservedly so.

Reviewed by Pilipo