The Expendables

Self Titled

Stoopid Records

(The Expendables MySpace)

When I last spoke to The Expendables the band described the new album as more ‘metal-y.’ They certainly weren’t kidding, as there is some real balls-to-the-wall rock featured on the band’s first album on their band mate's (Slightly) Stoopid Records.

That’s not to say the band has done away altogether with its catchy reggae and sweet vocal harmonies, of which the band has built a strong following on. However, Raul Bianchi and Geoff Weers would make Iron Maiden proud of the dueling guitars on songs like War Cry and the re-recorded Sacrifice. There is also some more punk rock tracks here than on previous releases and more song changes within a song, switching from reggae to rock and back again, with the best examples being One More Time, Burning Up and Wide Awake.

This Self-Titled release features the band’s strongest song writing effort to date, which is a fair compliment, as The Expendables have written some of the best reggae rock songs in the past few years. Take a Ticket and Paper Chains demonstrate how confidently the band has grown in the ability to write instantly memorable and catchy hooks.

My only problem I have with this new album is the inconsistency in quality of production (handled by Chris D of G Love fame). This is probably as a result of the band recording it in multiple locations (including hotel rooms) and across a long period of time with multiple sessions. Overall, it definitely gives the album a more raw feel than the band's past couple of albums.

What would be the point of being on Stoopid Records, if you couldn’t tap into the Slightly Stoopid resource? So half of Slightly Stoopid appear here across the album, with Miles (vocals), C-Money (trumpet) and OG (percussion) all contributing to the re-recording of the amazing, 7 minute long - album closer, Burning Up. A song that showcases the best the band has to offer: catchy as hell reggae, followed by a seemless change into fist-pumping rock. As always proving, no member in this band is Expendable.

Reviewed by Pilipo