The second album from the ragga-dub-metallers.
Warner: 29 October 2007
Last updated: 24 November 2008
If ever there was a man made for frontman duties, Skindred's Benji Webbe is him. From Dub War's 1990s semi-success to his current outfit's integration into the American metal world, his magnetic persona has been a key ingredient.
Tracklisting
- Roots Rock Riot
- Trouble
- Ratrace
- State Of Emergency
- Alright
- Destroy The Dancefloor
- Rude Boy For Life
- Killing Me
- Spit Out The Poison
- Cause Ah Riot
- Ease Up
- Choices And Decisions
When Skindred capitalised on their friendships with the likes of ex-Sepultura man Max Cavalera and concentrated on an American scene more amenable to their work, they found themselves one of the UK's most unlikely success stories.
This second album follows the gold-selling Babylon and ups their game once more.
Essentially the game-plan hasn't changed: metal riffs, stomping rhythms and Webbe's dub/ragga lyrical delivery sitting atop - unlikely but successful.
What they've done on Roots Rock Riot is tighten and focus while retaining their party rhythms; this album could cause an octogenarian's legs to twitch involuntarily. For their audience, this is a joyful, crazed smorgasbord of influences that will ensure their position as a great live act remains intact.
Trouble is a definite single, Destroy The Dancefloor invites a good-natured riot while Killing Me is as tender as Skindred get; Webbe's lyrics allied to a proper pop rock chorus.
Refusing to wind down after Dub War's split was the best thing Webbe did; with Roots Rock Riot he shows his creative fervour is as strong as ever.
Words: James McLaren
