www.Scratchley.org : blog

Album artwork used without permission

For those who aren’t familiar with Matisyahu - this young man from White Plains New York mixed his street upbringing with a late life conversion to orthodox Judaeism. His music is a unique and distinct merge of Jamaican dance hall reggae, street hip-hop, beat box and hebrew canter. Not to be missed. Might not be your cup of tea - but it’s different.

So - I again hear a resurgence of Matisyahu on the radio (Go SONiC) this morning, as Garner started spinning a new release of “King without a crown”. The track was originally released on “Shake off the Dust… Arise” in 2004, and was produced on “Live at Stubbs” as a live version in 2005. Well - the track makes yet another appearance on his the new Matisyahu album “Youth”.

And here’s my rant.

The song was brilliant on “Shake”. Soulful, bright - honest. Carrying the full weight of Matisyahu’s conviction and faith. “Stubbs” live version was faithful to the arrangement and was a GREAT live rendition with more energy and toe tapping goodness - enveloping the audience with that sound that makes his music so interesting (mental note: first “interesting” - 1 min 30 into writing) and laying that passion out all over the stage like it came out of a bucket.

Now again on “YOUTH” Matisyahu is trying to cash in on the “King without a Crown” gravy-train. Gone are the soulful honest tones. Gone is the dancehall homage - gone is the sincerity. Welcome overdubs, re-arrangement that sucks, 3 part overdub harmony that is out of place in ways I can’t describe. It’s an abomination. Please - radio stations with an urge to play this - go back to “Shake” for a studio version… Watch / Listen for yourselves. LISTEN: Original Live (Windows Media) or Abomination from YOUTH (windows media)