Wednesday, 15 February 2006
  Below you will find a variety of album reviews. New reviews are added as they arrive so check back for updates.
The Devastators Album
Reviews
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 Teel 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)
Better Days (Peaks & Valleys,
2007)
From http://reggae-reviews.com 3/08
The Devastators' second album builds on the momentum of Frontline with
perhaps a pinch more of consistency. Lead singer Ivan Garzon has a great,
emotive voice -- unusually strong for reggae -- and the music is top-notch,
reveling in a throwback roots sound and proudly proclaiming that no drum
machines or pitch correction technology was utilized in its recording. Fans of
Soldiers of Jah Army and
John Brown's Body
should definitely take heed to this mix of traditional roots with the
accessibility of love songs like "Surrender," "Torture," "Why," and "Last
Night." "Been a Long Time" is the only track that really steps outside the
reggae genre with an R&B/jazz fusion sound. The lead-off tune, "Find a Way,"
is the highlight of Better Days; it's a classic in the making, a
propulsive jam melding vintage guitar, organ, and melodica with a wicked melody
and uplifting message. In fact, the first eight tracks all score, particularly
the dark "Land of Woe," the churning title track, the seductive "Surrender" and
the swaying groove "Light People" (although at first I thought they were singing
"White People," which made me cock my head Scooby Doo-like). Five solid dubs
round out the set, headed by "Dub Away," a surprisingly slinky, laid-back
version of "Find a Way" that highlights the funky guitar, organ, and melodica
mix. But don't believe me; listen for yourself at thedevastators.com.
From Citybeat 3/25/08
The Devastators
Better Days
The best reggae acts usually stick to the basics—slow, steady
roots rhythms, lots of echo and lyrics about political uprisings and sultry
women. The Devastators understand this and, coupled with their superb
musicianship, Better Days is about as good as slick, modern reggae can get. The
dub tracks that close the album offer melodica that recalls the ghostly, syrupy
sounds of Augustus Pablo, perfect for long summer nights filled with the aroma
of kind bud. MS/thedevastators
—Todd Kroviak
From Revolt in Style Magazine
4/08
Genre -
Reggae
You’ve heard one reggae CD, you’ve heard them all, right, not in
this case. ‘Better Days’ features 15 tracks of original music, and has taken
clas sic reggae ska rhythms, and instrumental
percussions, then adds a fusion of roots reggae, with modern rock & jazz,
that grooves conspicuously into the funky beat of this
album. The smooth, sweet voice of Ivan Garzon, along with john, Alex, Brian, and
the vast array of incredible talent, brought in to create this true work of
reggae art. The title tract ‘Better Day’ is a perfect compilation of methodical
lyrics, and pulsating instruments, to create this
classic; I have to say this is probably my favorite. Well, then there’s ‘Been a
Long Time’ seductive, feel good sound, and ‘Dub Away’ has a very cool hypnotic tempo, with the classic DUB sound, best
listened to in an altered state of mind, if you know what I mean. Well, two
thumbs up for these local guys, with sounds reminiscent of Steel Pulse, you
can’t lose. Be sure to check out their web www.thedevastators.com to see where
they are playing next, most likely at Longboard’s Grill. -Leslie
Krouse
Oct 2006
Frontline (Peaks & Valleys Productions, 2005)
Review by: Tom Orr
10/31/06
From www.jahworks.org
If the name of this band suggests their brand of reggae is on the rough
and tough side, such a suggestion would be correct. Not in the same sense as
supposed reggae bands who pile on rock and rap side trips to show how bad-ass
they are, but rather that the San Diego-based Devastators know how to lay down
reggae which packs a punch and still sounds like, well, reggae. Not an easy
balancing act, but the band pulls it off by stoking their hard roots riffs with
a soul/funk underpinning and consistently propulsive drums and bass.
Their use of clavinet and Hammond organ recalls the vintage aura of '70s
Wailers or Jack Ruby-produced sounds, always with enough kick to keep them from
sounding like a mere throwback. Bassist/lead vocalist Ivan Garzon sings like a
less meditative version of Groundation's Harrison Stafford and flawlessly holds
down the bottom in tandem with drummer John Allen as Alex Somerville (keyboards)
and Brian Teel (guitar) supply sharp skanking jabs and melodic runs. Guest
players Siah Dowlatshahi (guitar) and Christian Mills (percussion) add further
fire throughout.
There are ten songs and three dubs on Frontline, and
though the band are at their best on socially and spiritually conscious material
like the title track and "Jah Fly," the few love and lust tangents they get off
on are good as well. This, the Devastators' debut disc, is an impressive start
for a band that both embraces and shakes up a true reggae foundation.
Reggae-Reviews.com
Jan
2006
Frontline (Peaks & Valleys, 2005)
The Devastators are a roots quartet who have attracted a following in the San
Diego, California area, thanks to a vibrant sound and superb musical
craftsmanship. They strike a marvelous (and marvelously hard to
accomplish) balance between accessibility to reggae novices and allure to genre
snobs by delivering catchy melodies and groovy love songs alongside searing,
cultural jams with a sound rooted in the classic '70s stylee. Lead singer
Ivan Garzon's vocals are soulful and endearing (only reaching its limit with the
occasional chat/rap), ranging from Marley-esque wails (akin
to Jacob Hemphill from Soldiers of Jah Army) to
Jamiroquai-like crooning. The beautifully performed music remains
gleefully true to reggae's classic sound -- see the grooving ska track
"Oppressor Man" -- while throwing in a touch of the new school -- as on the
ambitious (and mostly successful) stab at dancehall "Waistline." I don't
know who the "powers that be" are, but they need to pay attention to the
Devastators. Their incurably catchy sound screams "hit" after "hit"; try
listening to tunes like "New Day," "Love Is Gone," "You Possess," or the title
track and not start your toes a-tappin'. Go ahead: thedevastators.com.
Check out the actual review HERE.
Revolt in Style
Feb/Mar
issue 2006
The Devastators: Frontline
Genre: Reggae
This CD gets a lot of play at my house. If you like
Barrington Levy's style with a Bob Marley/Peter Tosh mentality you are going to
love this album. This four-piece band is from right here in SD although if
you heard them you would think they were straight out of Jamaica. The
roots rock reggae style and spirit is alive and well with this band. They
even switch it up by kicking in a latin style and droppin a little Spanish in
the mix. I haven't seen these guys live yet I will make it a point to get
to one the first chance I get. The band was nominated in the San Diego
Music Awards in 2004 for Best of World Music. You can catch these guys at
most of the prominent venues in San Diego. Check out show times and info
at www.thedevastators.com or on my space at www.myspace.com/thedevastators. Thanks to Peaks and
Valleys Productions out of Encinitas for sending this one in.
NiceUp.com
Mar 2006
Devastators - Frontline
Review by Rick
Anderson
This San Diego-based
five-piece has honed its tight sound over the course of four years in residency
at various popular local clubs. Often, when a band with a strong local following
releases an album it sounds half-baked and premature; with these guys, you
listen to the album and wonder what took them so long. With the exception of the
rather lackluster "All That & More," there's really not a single weak track
here: whether it's the Spanglish loverman come-on of "Anything for You," the
galloping ska of "Oppressor Man" or the sassy dancehall of "Waistline," the
Devastators communicate a seemingly effortless mastery of the genre and an
infectious enthusiasm, as well as prodigious chops. The dub versions are all
fun, if not world-shaking. Highly recommended.
Check out the actual review HERE.
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