"All that I need, look at all the love that we've found."After their debut '40oz. To Freedom' some people were wondering if this iconic ska band were going to come out with an album that'd live up to it, and truth is, I'm going to tell you right now: This doesn't. Does that mean it's a bad album? Certainly not. The only reason I say it doesn't live up to the former album is because they feel so different. The debut was happy with a few sad moments, where this is sad with a few happy moments. It's Bradley Nowell trying to find happiness in what he has during his heroin addiction, along with his two best friends, Eric Wilson on bass and Bud Gaugh on drums, and his dog, Lou Dog trying to help him.
Keyword: Trying.
This album has a depressing undertone throughout all of it, almost as if Bradley's always hoping his life will get better, even though he knows it won't. And it's even explicitly said in the song 'Pool Shark', which appears in two versions on this album, a hardcore punk version and an acoustic version, that Bradley thinks he's going to die soon because of his heroin addiction. While the hardcore punk version sounds all fast and in your face, the acoustic version is pretty heart-breaking, especially seeing videos of him playing it live while breaking out crying during the middle of it.He wants freedom, to feel like he used to, but he feels all hope is gone as he sings about his life, and tries to warn others of his mistakes, hoping one day an angel will appear out of heaven to save him from himself, because he doesn't feel like he can. It's almost like listening to a man, while singing mostly sad songs, sing happy songs in hopes that they'll somehow cheer him up, or someone else.
This album is much more dub and hip-hop influenced than the previous album with the basslines and drums, and much more raw. It almost sounds under-produced because it was recorded in a crack house, but that's the only place Bradley felt comfortable.
Something also worth noting is how there's a bit of a lack of proper songs on this album. There's 22 tracks, a fair amount of them are instrumental dub tracks, sometimes with people talking during the middle of them, the old crazy Raleigh Soliloquy talking about various subjects appears on a few tracks, and has a few tracks all to himself to talk about various subjects.
Among these tracks are two covers, 'Steppin' Razor' by Joe Higgs and 'Falling Idols' by the band of the same name.
I absolutely love some of the songs on here, but especially 'S.T.P.' I love this song with a passion because of the general feeling, and it's Bradley finding happiness in his friends and family, with a feeling that he feels loved because he's a part of a gang. Messed up, sure, but Bradley was actually happy. He wants you to see how much he loves everyone in this song. No matter what you think of his ghetto gangsta friends, he finds love from them.
Also of note is 'Saw Red' featuring Gwen Stefani, who at the time was with No Doubt, a fellow ska band.
It's a solid release in my eyes, but some Sublime fans won't see it as bad, just not that great. I can understand that, but there's absolutely no reason you shouldn't check this out if you like Sublime. This album feels like a look into Bradley's mind, and as it seems, it's a really depressing place to be, but he never loses hope. Things are catching up to him much quicker than he ever thought they would. Truly an inspirational person to look up to, and I will always love Sublime because of him.
If you're not already a Sublime fan, I can't really see this album turning you into one.
I'm gonna have to give this a 6/10. It needs more regular songs on it, because the ones on here are pretty good.
Recommended Track(s): S.T.P.
