EASTERN SURF MAGAZINE 'Perseverance' review May 21, 2010
rating: 9 out of 10
I’d like to believe that there are a lot of people out there who are pretty open-minded when it comes to music. Usually, I’d count myself as a member of that group, but when it comes to deciding what I’ll actually put on my iPod, it’s an entirely different story. An iPod playlist is kind of like sacred ground, and only the most worthy songs make the cut. With that said, every single song on Perseverance, the newest album released by Jacksonville, FL-based reggae band Scholars Word, is headed straight for my iPod, and as soon as you give it a listen, I guarantee this album will be making a beeline for yours as well.
Scholars Word take everything good about reggae and weave it together in a new way on Perseverance, staying true to the roots of the music without sounding cliché or imitative. Their steady, pumping bass lines and energetic rhythms combine with a well-proportioned mix of guitar melodies, saxophone jams, and upbeat keyboard effects to produce a completely genuine and electrifying reggae sound. Pair that with lead singer Bryce Creighton’s clear, soothing voice, which captivates on tracks like “Good Feelin” and Searchin,” and you’ve got yourself an album that sounds remarkable from start to finish. And, as if all that weren’t enough, the lyrics of each song provide enlightened social commentary and life lessons that will make you think about the kind of positive impact you can make on the people around you.
Scholars Word are the real deal, and with songs like “Can’t Turn It Off” and “Perseverance Dub,” which have the uncanny ability to instantly put you in a good mood, their ninth album Perseverance demonstrates that they have every aspect of truly modern reggae on lock. By Allison Arteaga
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