Album Details

• Artist: Tim Armstrong
• Album: A Poet's Life
• Label: Epitaph
• Year of Release: 2006
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2007-06-12

Media

Originally meant to be a series of occasional single track releases over the internet, clamor being what it is, we have a full set of Armstrong’s salute to ska and rocksteady, and his reverence, to the style and to his fans, for which these were intended, shows. While too much love can lead to straight on imitation–and, really, no one will be as good as Desmond Dekker or Lee Perry, the passion here, as we saw to our delight with Rancid, makes it all ring true.

Backed by LA two-tone gods The Aggrolites, who also have a new killer release just out on Hellcat, Armstrong chops and sways his way through a tender skankin set of love songs that sound good and offer an occasional touch, like a sweet organ line or funky horn, to keep things interesting.

As with Rancid, Armstrong here offers history lesson, his own art, and a slap to wannabes. This does not re-invent the Kingston wheel, but it adds a nice paragraph to Studio One history, and it kicks righteous ass as a bonus.

User Reviews and Comments

Review:

on 2007-06-16 hstisgod Said:

You've swimply shown the way on writing reviews for this site bro...This is a phenomenal express review, and its given me knowledge to write more direct and less analyzed. As for the record, I have a strong feeling Armstrong deserves the four finger hail. I'm headed to listen now.
Rating: 8/10