The Devastators
Better Days
© 2008 The Devastators (796873020923)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
70 minutes of original music, real instruments and players, no programmed beats, drum machines, or pitch correction.
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The Devastators have completed their second full length studio album entitled "Better Days." The new album features 15 tracks (over 70min!) of original material by the SD reggae four-piece. Fans of the bands debut album "Frontline" should appreciate the continuity with the new record. Like "Frontline" the album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Peaks and Valleys Studio by Alex Somerville. The services of percussionist Christian Mills were commissioned once again, as was graphic artwork by Rion of lefthandrightmind Creations. A host of other guest musicians make an appearance on the album including James McWhinney (Big Mountain), Elijah Emanuel (Elijah Emanuel & The Revelations), Professor Most, and the horn section of Andy Geib (Wise Monkey Orchestra), Bob Campbell (Big Mountain), and Jason Robinson (Groundation). Fans of 70's roots reggae will appreciate the passion these players have for their tone expressed by the usage of live drum and bass and real hammond organ, acoustic piano, clavinet, fender rhodes, and melodica. Check out the audio samples!
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The Devastators- “Better Days”
Peaks and Valleys Productions, 2008
Review by Tom Orr
A solidly rockers-style drum and bass riddim kicks in, melodica and clavinet add tartness to the beat, sharp guitar stabs skank relentlessly and a singer cries out for solutions to society’s ills.
Must be a classic Jamaican track from pre-dancehall days, eh? Nope. It’s the song that kicks off “Better Days”, the latest album from the San Diego-based quartet called the Devastators. And on this, the follow-up to their strong debut “Frontline,” they fulfill the promise of the title by expanding on the many good points of both that first disc and their skills as a band. “Better Days” racks up a 70-minute running time that gives the tracks ample expanse to groove and nothing but real instruments with which to do it. And these guys know how to fill the space without seeming like they’re just filling space. As on “Frontline,” lead guitar and keyboard riffs play off each other to give a funky, slightly rockish edge to the roots. Enhancements this time include more percussion in the mix and the welcome use of horns on three songs. Plus, lead singer/bassist Ivan Garzon has a more assured edge to his vocal style, laying into the songs with a combination of reggae, soul and pop inflections similar to Peter Morgan of Morgan Heritage. Bass-wise he’s absolutely on the mark, cementing a flawless foundation with drummer John Allen that allows guitarist Brian Keel and keys man Alex Somerville to get in some deftly dazzling licks along with the guest players who augment the foursome.
Once again the songs are a combination of consciousness (“Land of Woe,” “Light People”) and spirited observations on the fairer sex (“Why,” “Been a long Time”) that know when to get serious and when to just chuck it all and work your waistline. The Devastators handily devastate any possibility of a second album slump with this killer CD. (www.thedevastators.com)
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DJ R.A.S. Seles
author: Robson Alves Selesirie man.muito the good work being of the CD parabéns.descobri searching the Internet, but do not have adqurir because I have no cards to make international compra.Teria how to do a promotional album so that I can do a job of disclosure, a programme of reggae that I am in a local radio? jah bless
Very nice
author: Martin BaasI found this band on the internet and bought their cd immediately. This is real music and you can hear the band put a lot of afford in it. Sometimes it even sounds a little bit like Big Mountain. Recommended!
Great!
author: K.M.KGreat album with heavy riddims, kinda feel like Groundation on a party mood.. Give thanks to The Devastators for the music. Give thanks to CD Baby for letting me find this great new music.
Better Days
author: SuperDanAwesome mon