Always interested in young up-and-coming bands with new music, I was excited to be invited to review The Bridge, released by Boulder, Colorado-based Policulture in September 2014.
The album begins with good energy I could groove with. A melodica featured in the first song was a pleasant surprise and immediately had me captivated, as I happen to play melodica myself. It immediately had me anticipating a real roots reggae album. It did not disappoint.
The next few tracks had me feeling like I was listening to Katchafire or Giant Panda: real island reggae with horns and harmonies on point. The melodies are somewhat catchy and the lyrics are all positive and uplifting. The instrumental track “Time to Shine”, however, might well be my favorite track on the entire album. “My Love” certainly stood out for me as well.
The sixth track, “Family”, had a different sound. It reminded me immediately of another rising young band: Thrive!, out of California. The vocal melody, phrasing, the plucked guitar, the lyrics and especially the horn lines lifted up memories of their saxophone player who recently lost his battle with cancer, Scott Schipper. May he rest in power. It is a catchy, bouncy, feel good reggae song – if you love your family, that is.
Some of the best songs ever written are those with a positive message behind them.
The title track, “The Bridge” is a dynamic song about “crossing over into the light”. While there’s a good message in the song and great music, I enjoyed the following track, “Great Respect” much more. It was a much livelier song with some poetic positivity.
Some of the best songs ever written are those with a positive message behind them. Conscious music. Policulture delivers a healthy dose of conscious lyrics in The Bridge. Their songs for the most part, make me think about life, how to get through struggles, how to be happy. A great message to hear in music.
On the other side of that same coin, however, It is this very same trait in this album that would prevent me from listening to the album on repeat. The particular lyrics chosen and the personal message in songs like “What Would You Do, and “The Bridge” felt just a little too direct – even a little convicting – for some reason.
Overall, I was very impressed with this debut album from Policulture. They will surely be rising in the ranks of American roots reggae music in the years to come.
Preview and download The Bridge from
The Bridge track listing
- Forest of Destiny
- Good Times
- Time to Shine
- My Love
- What Would You Do
- Family
- Born and Raised
- The Bridge
- Great Respect
- Get Up and Fight
- Send Away
Policulture “Time To Shine”
For more information about Policulture, give them a follow on Facebook or give their website a visit
Released September 25, 2014
Share this article
or
Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
Get music updates in your inbox