Album review: SKINDRED – Smile
Earache Records [Release date 04.11.23]
This reviewer knew Skindred by name but never really listened to them (more fool me!) until hearing ‘Gimme That Boom’ on a new arrivals playlist on a streaming service. Then off down to HMV to buy the CD on release week and after a fair few spins, deciding to pen this review as the album will feature in my year end top five. Even better news was that the album debuted at number two on the UK album chart and topped the UK rock & metal chart.
Skindred maybe focussed on frontman Benji Webbe, however, the album is a real band effort as bassist Daniel Pugsley, guitarist Mikey Demus, and drummer Arya Goggin all add their own musical stamp onto the album’s sound. ‘This Appointed Love’ proof of that, bringing in guitars, those big muthatrucking drums and bass, all topped off by Benji’s vocals. Like a ska metal mash-up!
Highlights? To be fair the whole album! ‘Gimme That Boom’ has an infectious chorus, whilst ‘L.O.V.E. (Smile Please)’ achieved the band’s aim of becoming a summer banger, with its mix of pop, reggae and rock. What’s not to love with the reggae beat, horns and children’s choir on the chorus?
‘If I Could’ will please the metalheads who follow the band, with both ‘Black Stars’ (there is serious riffing, both on guitars and vocally, on this one) and the hip hop vibe on ‘State of the Union’ showing Skindred have their finger on the current state of the nation.
‘Mama’ throws a big curveball and its beautiful lyric praising the hard working mum’s of the world. Those horns are back on this one too.
‘Unstoppable’ ends the album on a high note, an album that is a rare five-star album. Definitely all killer, no filler. *****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections