Matisyahu - No Place To Be CDDVD (19 tracks) +Album Reviews

No Place To Start

Ernest Osborne | Rollinsford, NH | 02/07/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's possible I've been spoiled by Youth, then backwards to Live at Stubbs, and most recently a spectacular live show mid-December '06 in Boston. Though I felt excited enough upon opening No Place To Be, my anticipation wasn't quite immediately rewarded.

About the CD: I never have much cared for the included version of Jersusalem no matter that it features "riddim" legends Sly and Robbie. To me, this take lacks the warmth of Youth's Jerusalem and sounds a bit rushed, as if Matisyahu's laboring to keep up with the band. Chop 'Em Down felt pretty good as to a certain extent did Message In A Bottle. But the remixes mostly lost me. I can't decide which sounds more horrid--the brutal Jerusalem Swisha House remix with its mechanically slurred vocals, or the downright ugly Youth Small Stars remix which swallows this great song in an utter dance club mess suited only for decadent, gyrating flesh at some babylonian golden calf-worship. I can't bring myself to play either of these two remixes for my girlfriend, who adores Matisyahu's music like I do. I feel the need to protect her from them. I'm left wondering if Matthew Miller personally approved such bad taste?

To my profound relief, the DVD arrives to rescue No Place To Be, though the redemption takes a little while to kick in as Matisyahu's vocals sound a bit flat at first and his energy takes a while to build. I at first missed the added keyboard and percussion players present at that wonderful Boston show, but Matisyahu's core band of bass/drum/guitar players on the DVD are ridiculously talented enough to well-fill out any sound. The performance and excitement wonderfully does build, with between-song interviews with Matisyahu and his players, and "unplugged" versions of Matisyahu music performed by the band seated and serene in some Jerusalem ruin. I'd love to see an entire DVD of such acoustic Matisyahu. Unfortunately, the end credits roll over the final, unplugged "What I'm Fighting For", but compared with the CD, the credits can roll over what ever they want to on this fine DVD.

I nearly gave this package three stars; but despite those nearly sickening remixes it deserves four. If you're new to Matisyahu, the CD renders this release "No Place To Start" unless you just put the CD away someplace and don't listen to it until you've heard the DVD, Youth and Live At Stubbs a dozen or so times each. I just wouldn't want anybody getting the wrong idea, you know? Not only is Matisyahu that good, but he's "going places" I wouldn't want anybody to miss out on because of some music producer's bad judgement.

Rock On.

"

Mismarketed

Louise Marquis | 02/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This package is marketed as a new CD with a bonus DVD. The CD has 7 remixes of 5 songs, 4 of which are better on Matisyahu's previous CDs. And right in the middle is the horrible Swisha House destruction of "Jerusalem". In other words, this CD is a dud when compared to the earlier releases. The 4 stars are all for the DVD. It includes a complete live concert in Tel Aviv, plus interviews and casual scenes of Matisyahu with his band and wife and baby son in Jerusalem. The music is great and the rest gives us an opportunity to get to know him a little. There is also an artfully done music video of "Jerusalem" which is a good antidote for the pain inflicted by the Swisha House mix. This package should have been marketed as a great DVD with a free remix CD, or the DVD could have been sold by itself for the same price.

"

Great Package

To Be Simple | 12/30/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The CD has 7 songs on it, and they are all excellent except for the "Swisha House Mix" of Jersualem. It is bad to the point of being unlistenable. Fortunately the CD kicks off with a kicking version of the same song. Since there are only 7 songs on the CD I knocked off a star due to the horrid nature of one of the songs.

The DVD is what makes this package so nice. The live concert is longer than I thought it would be. The sound quality is good. Matisyahu has incredible stage presence. The reason the man has such a strong following is that his live shows are becoming legendary. He is one of the more commanding live artists I have seen.

I cannot wait for Matisyahu's next full studio album. Virtually everything this guy puts out is golden. Big up!"

Matisyahu

Matthew Miller | New York, New York | 01/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recognize that this sort of reggae/rap music is not necessarily my area of expertise (I listen mostly to Jazz), but Ive been a big fan of Matisyahu for a while, and figured I'd write a review for this relatively new CD/DVD combo that I just bought.

The Cd itself is mostly remixes of older material of his (with one exception) and is really, in my eyes, unspectacular. Not to say that the cd is bad, I particularly liked the opening track (Jerusalem (out of darkness comes light)) as well as a very interesting version of the Sting/Police song "message in a Bottle", but the CD is brief and doesnt really seem all that special, particularly when compared to previous albums of his. The DVD, on the other hand, is spot on.

If you like other Matisyahu music, then you'll undoubtedly like the DVD. As has been noted elsewhere, Matisyahu has a surprisingly big stage presence and the live show is a great showcase for the music. The sound quality is excellent, the video quality is, perhaps, a bit lacking, but good enough that it is easily overlooked. The music itself is excellent, I really love the live versions of "Dispatch the Troops", "Close My Eyes" and "Heights". The interviews, which can be either played in between tracks of the concert or not played at all, were interesting to watch through, although I'll probably never watch them again (Im glad therre is the option to just watch the concert).

Ultimately, there is a lot to like here. Matisyahu's work in general displays great musical sense and I like that it is, especially when compared to other music produced nowadays, wholesome. Its good music with a good message, and I proudly support it."

Righteous album

Mati Fan | Detroit, MI | 03/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another reviewer said "The man has to study up on stage presence and performance. People pay money for a show, not to watch you stand there and sing the album." I would agree that Mati is no James Brown on stage, but I would add that to some degree that may be the most genuine part of his act. Mati represents a belief in humility before G-d. To make the G-d the focus and the message the focus is the whole point. For instance, when Mati is completely still with his hand over his eyes during "Warrior" while he recites the Shema, that deep sincerity, gives a power to his message that trumps fireworks at any Rolling Stones concert any day. As Solomon said, there is a time for everything and when the point for celebration in the music is right, Mati gets animated and I think, it's just the right amount for the message. It's not coming off as contrived, but heartfelt. That's the allure of his music for me, meaningful and sincere music that feeds from the most compelling pursuit a person can have, the search for G-d.

I've purchased entire CDs for one great song, here Mati has many great performances. Each, would have compelled me to make this purchase. I can't worry about one or two songs I'm not as fond of. I can hardly think of any album, from any artist without that.

What you get here is great new music and some different flavors of Mati's established songs. I have found that although the songs may be the same, across different performances, both studio and live, I have changed my mind about weather I enjoy a song depending on the performance/format. So I don't see the re-release of songs here as a detriment as much as just more flavors to choose from.

"

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