Track Listing:

1. Guantanamo
2. Unfortunates
3. Story of Benjamin Darling, Pt. 1
4. CIA
5. Gang of Thieves
6. Fight No More
7. Barnstorming
8. Rash of Robberies
9. Omar Bay
10. As with Gladness
11. Wicker Plane
12. Sudan
13. Fall of the American Empire

Album Review:

 
State Radio's Year of the Crow combines roots reggae, punk and rock music. The sound often varies from song to song, but the band's talent and chemistry as musicians and songsmiths make the transitions relatively seemless.

The songs, infused with a critical bent toward political and social issues, will certainly stir-up a bit of controversy. They pull no punches with their unapologetic left-of-center views, using their music as tool to voice their desires for change. State Radio's music has meaning and purpose, traits sorely missed in some of today's populare fare.

This is a consistently solid album, and while there may only be a few songs that really grab you, this eclectic mix of sounds is supported by extremely compelling song writing throughout. The Story of Benjamin Darling Part 1, Omar Bay, and Wicker Plane are notable highlights.

Type 3 Rating:

 
| 10.26.2007 | Review by J. Pierson |