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Track Listings
| 1. Jerusalem - Sample Break My Stride |
| 2. Fire Of Heaven / Altar Of Earth |
| 3. Youth |
| 4. Time Of Your Song |
| 5. Dispatch The Troops |
| 6. Indestructible |
| 7. What I'm Fighting For |
| 8. Jerusalem |
| 9. WP |
| 10. Shalom/Saalam |
| 11. Late Night in Zion |
| 12. Unique Is My Dove |
| 13. Ancient Lullaby |
| 14. King Without A Crown |
Product Description
Amazon.ca
The thumbnail description of Matisyahu: File under Hasidic Beatbox Reggae. Despite having markings of novelty, it's really nothing of the sort. Fronted by a man named Matisyahu (born Matthew Miller), they are truly a band. Two independently released CDs brought them a rapid and well-deserved ascent, making their signing with a major label a logical step. Youth benefits from a more expansive sound and production by the fantastic Bill Laswell (Golden Palominos, Laurie Anderson, the Last Poets). Matisyahu's singing and the substance of his songs (spiritual living, self-awareness, the value of knowledge and learning, kindness to others) are presented with a loving sincerity, and buoyed by tremendous musicianship. In particular, drummer Jonah David and guitarist Aaron Dugan bring a wider set of influences and interests to their playing than the reggae tag the band often gets. Free of any proselytizing, this melding of Talmudic teachings and Jamaican rhythms flows so naturally that it underscores the shared roots of the two cultures. -David Greenberger
Product Description
Matisyahu, one of the most-talked about new artists of 2005 comes out with his brand new studio album Youth. The followup to his highly-acclaimed Live At Stubb's, features production by Bill Laswell, along with Jimmy Douglass and Ill Factor, and features 11 new songs including recent live favorites 'Fire of Heaven / Altar of Earth (Fire's Burning)', 'Jerusalem', 'Ancient Lullaby (Mist Risin')', and the title track, 'Youth'. Don't miss one of the most anticipated albums of 2006. Epic.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The legendary Bill Laswell produced most the tracks on this impressive album. Laswell is famous for his work with a wide range of musicians, a lot of it obscure or non-mainstream music. But this album is a very accessible blend of hip-hop and appealing polirythmic textures, many of them with a reggae or dancehall flavor.
In style, it reminded me of Jah Wobble and Shaggy simultaneously and in spirit, of the work of PM Dawn or Arrested Development. Although the style may be characterized as mentioned above, the seamless blend also includes rock guitar as in the title track Youth. The first four tracks, Time Of Your Song especially, are all memorable but the best comes later.
There at least four masterpieces on this singular album. The powerful track Indestructable with its hypnotic rhythmic patterns and upligting lyrics is an awesome devotional song. The buoyant Jerusalem is a gripping and evocative hymn to the holy city. The mid tempo Unique Is My Dove with its bouncy reggae beats is an awesome love song, whilst the spacious and atmospheric Ancient Lullaby with its lovely guitar infusions and extended drum patterns is the highlight of the album, a most moving spiritual experience.
Other songs that stick in the mind after the notes have faded are Dispatch The Troops with its innovative instrumental mix, the structurally complex WP that contains a comforting spoken-word passage from scripture, and the mystical number Late Night In Zion. The CD insert contains the lyrics to four of the songs as well as Psalm 27. Those who like any type of Jamaican music will love this great album.
In style, it reminded me of Jah Wobble and Shaggy simultaneously and in spirit, of the work of PM Dawn or Arrested Development. Although the style may be characterized as mentioned above, the seamless blend also includes rock guitar as in the title track Youth. The first four tracks, Time Of Your Song especially, are all memorable but the best comes later.
There at least four masterpieces on this singular album. The powerful track Indestructable with its hypnotic rhythmic patterns and upligting lyrics is an awesome devotional song. The buoyant Jerusalem is a gripping and evocative hymn to the holy city. The mid tempo Unique Is My Dove with its bouncy reggae beats is an awesome love song, whilst the spacious and atmospheric Ancient Lullaby with its lovely guitar infusions and extended drum patterns is the highlight of the album, a most moving spiritual experience.
Other songs that stick in the mind after the notes have faded are Dispatch The Troops with its innovative instrumental mix, the structurally complex WP that contains a comforting spoken-word passage from scripture, and the mystical number Late Night In Zion. The CD insert contains the lyrics to four of the songs as well as Psalm 27. Those who like any type of Jamaican music will love this great album.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
120 reviews
29 of 33 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Ultimate Cross-Over
April 22 2006
By Amanda Richards
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
Next time you’re strolling through Crown Heights, Brooklyn and happen to see a tall, bespectacled young man wearing the garb of the Hasidic Jewish community coming towards you, try humming a few bars of Bob Marley’s “Exodus” and see if he smiles at you and joins in.
Matthew Paul Miller (Matisyahu) spreads his messages of faith and “consciousness” through the reggae medium, and although this sounds strange to say the least, he’s getting his message across, particularly to the young people. As he sings on title track and second single “Youth”:
“Take a stand
Fan a fire for the flame of the youth
Got the freedom to choose
You better make the right move
Young man, the power's in your hand”
His style borrows heavily from the vintage reggae of Marley and the spiritual messages of singers like Luciano rather than the popular dance hall music of Sean Paul, but you can also hear other influences such as The Police in “Despatch the Troops”, and Matthew Wilder in “Jerusalem”, as well as rap and hip hop.
Matisyahu gives his all in his live performances, as can be seen in the video for “King Without a Crown”, his first single that made the world sit up and pay attention. If it takes a gimmick to get the message of peace and harmony to young people than I’m all for it.
Maybe not the best reggae album in the world, or the most spiritually uplifting, but certainly fun, catchy and with no need for Parental Advisory warnings.
Amanda Richards, April 22, 2006
Matthew Paul Miller (Matisyahu) spreads his messages of faith and “consciousness” through the reggae medium, and although this sounds strange to say the least, he’s getting his message across, particularly to the young people. As he sings on title track and second single “Youth”:
“Take a stand
Fan a fire for the flame of the youth
Got the freedom to choose
You better make the right move
Young man, the power's in your hand”
His style borrows heavily from the vintage reggae of Marley and the spiritual messages of singers like Luciano rather than the popular dance hall music of Sean Paul, but you can also hear other influences such as The Police in “Despatch the Troops”, and Matthew Wilder in “Jerusalem”, as well as rap and hip hop.
Matisyahu gives his all in his live performances, as can be seen in the video for “King Without a Crown”, his first single that made the world sit up and pay attention. If it takes a gimmick to get the message of peace and harmony to young people than I’m all for it.
Maybe not the best reggae album in the world, or the most spiritually uplifting, but certainly fun, catchy and with no need for Parental Advisory warnings.
Amanda Richards, April 22, 2006
39 of 50 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
begging for airplay
Mar 7 2006
By J. Duncan
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
this is a partial departure from Matis' (sadly) out of print debut album "Shake Off the Dust... Arise." whereas the first album was a delightful combination of reggae, hip-hop, gypsy and powerful spiritual rhymes, "youth" modifies the sound with strong elements of indie rock (especially the title track), folk ("what i'm fighting for"), electronica and even - eegads - vocoder. guitar solos most closely associated with rock are prominently featured, especially on the "king without a crown" remake and the title track (coincidentally my least favorite tracks.) some of the songs would fit quite nicely on a red hot chili peppers album.
that said, songs like "jerusalem" and "unique is my dove" deliver enough of the original matisyahu to keep current fans happy. the gamble is that the attempt for greater popular airplay will score a few hits while not losing too many existing fans. my guess is the indie-rock space is too crowded already and that this album won't lose too many fans. however, another album of this sort would probably take the shine off of this otherwise bright star without the hoped for benefit of a hit.
put another way, an essential part of matisyahu's appeal was the spiritual aspect which added a sincerity that made him standout from the constant bombardment of commercial acts. another CD like this would be all but certain to destroy that image and i'm afraid matis would digress into a clown act.
after a few listens i've pretty much abandoned "youth" and reverted back to matis' earlier stuff. normally i would have given this music 3 stars but out of respect for matisyhau i gave it 4.
that said, songs like "jerusalem" and "unique is my dove" deliver enough of the original matisyahu to keep current fans happy. the gamble is that the attempt for greater popular airplay will score a few hits while not losing too many existing fans. my guess is the indie-rock space is too crowded already and that this album won't lose too many fans. however, another album of this sort would probably take the shine off of this otherwise bright star without the hoped for benefit of a hit.
put another way, an essential part of matisyahu's appeal was the spiritual aspect which added a sincerity that made him standout from the constant bombardment of commercial acts. another CD like this would be all but certain to destroy that image and i'm afraid matis would digress into a clown act.
after a few listens i've pretty much abandoned "youth" and reverted back to matis' earlier stuff. normally i would have given this music 3 stars but out of respect for matisyhau i gave it 4.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Jewish Bob Marley
Mar 17 2006
By Patrick Link
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
Recently saw the video for "King Without a Crown" on VH1 and I knew I had to buy this CD, I'm glad I did, this guy is an amazing talent...Best Tracks..1,3,5,7 and 13
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