Lee Scratch Perry - Repentance (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

The Mad Genius Brings it Hard

To Be Simple | 08/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It would be interesting to be able to spend the day inside of Lee Perry's head. Some of the stuff he comes up with is so far out there that you have to scratch your head then laugh. "Repentance" is the latest release of Lee Perry. It's impossible to categorize this album into any single genre. At its core it is a reggae album, but with a heavy dose of synthesizers and an overall funky vibe.

Overall the album works and is a fun listen. Perry has released material in the past that has a lot of synthesizer in it, however "Repentance" is heavier on the electronic sound than most of his previous albums. For example, "Santa Claus" is essentially a techno song with Perry doing his signature "babbling" in the background. The album from start to finish is full of energy and is really solid dance music. There are a lot of musical layers in the songs, which may turn off reggae purists looking for a sound more akin to the early years of Perry.

"Repentance" has a unique sound and is my favorite Perry album in recent years. It is creative, well-produced, and just a plain fun musical romp. It's actually quite ridiculous that a man over 70 years old is still making music of this kind of quality and energy. Perry hasn't lost his touch at all. There's a genius at work here, maximum respect."

Oh Dear

John Franks | UK | 10/21/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"What a shame. Lee perry let's himself down with this one. One or two of the tracks have a bit of mood, but mostly it's just rubbish. I want my money back."

SCRATCH SCORCHED

Chanfrancisco | San Francisco, CA United States | 09/20/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Lee Perry's insanity for a long time, but after hearing this album I'm sure he's gone over the line to drooling and babbling incomprehensible phrases, and must have to be spoon-fed his ganja and Red Stripe.

The copy I bought was an advance copy I bought in a used CD store, so I was not influenced by a listing of the cool, artsy people involved in the "project." A lot of the songs on this thing are unlistenable nonsense that are fleshed-out and beefed up with gimmicks in the studio. It doesn't seem like the hip "artists" associated with this thing had much to work with - buncha mumblings and profane silliness from a silly old drug casualty.

I've been around and I'm about as politically-incorrect as you can get, but a lot of the content is offensive, hateful and off-color without being clever or entertaining.

The reviewer on this site ("To Be Simple") who thought it would be "interesting" to spend a day in the mind of Lee "Scratch" Perry should do just that, and take Moby and all the other art school yuppies who made this record. I would hope that To Be Simple would make it out. I think he or she made some good points about the record, and is obviously a fellow music fan. I just don't agree there is a "genius" at work here.

I liked Perry's associations with the Upsetters and a lot of his solo stuff (From The Secret Laboratory is excellent. Panic in Babylon is good.), but "Repentance" is only good if you want to shock your girlfriend or to impress your friends that you own a record you're supposed to like.

I'm just glad I didn't pay full retail for this disc full of scary silliness."

Not a reggae record....

S. McCallum | 11/18/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"But does it need to be? The Upsetter has been making dub records longer than I have been on god's green earth. This is a departure for him for sure. Having Andrew W.K. (yeah that Andrew W.K.) produce the record definitely has brought a strange meal to the table. The songs are harsh and edgy as Perry's vocal incantations float through the tracks like a cloud. There are flitting elements of hip-hop, electro, dub, and just plain wierdness through out the record.

A couple of the standout tracks for me? Party time for sure. Its a slowed down soca/electro number that'll have your hipster roommate jumpin' all over the place. Shine is another stand out track. It has probably the closest thing to a "dub" sound on the whole album. It easy and flowy and dances around your noggin when you wear your headphones. If your ready for something slightly different than the reggae records he "should" be making this will fulfill that rather nicely.

I saw Lee Perry here once in my home town of Philadelphia. People milled about in the darkness doing what they generally do at a reggae show (i.e. smoking weed) Suddenly a thunderous bass shook the whole building as a spot light shone through the darkness. Perry walked out onto stage in a track suit covered in small mirrors. He illuminated the whole hall with his presence. His every move shimmered with light as he floored the whole crowd for an hour. As well as whipping out his junk at one point and telling the crowd to "witness God." You have not lived until you have seen a then 65 year old man wave his privvies at you while blasting your head with deep, rolly bass. He is a man that does things the way he wants to.

"

Repentance? More like utter despair!

Rosa Jordan | UK | 10/21/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This album shows the worst side of Lee Scratch Perry. Track after track of aimless and empty grooves. This is awful! The lyrics of some of the tracks are also completely offensive to women.

This is Lee at his worst. Why does he do it? It seems to me that this was a thrown together, quick job without any quality control.I cannot understand why the talented Mr Perry lets himself be exploited in such a way,letting people like this cash in on his repected status. There is no love or understanding whatsoever in the making of this album. It's disposable and heading straight for the trash can!"

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