| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Pastures of Heaven | Ridley Bent | 4:51 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
David Harley's Son | Ridley Bent | 5:29 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Fruit Pickers (In Dubious Battle) | Ridley Bent | 5:04 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Suicidewinder | Ridley Bent | 5:18 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
The Devil and Coltrane Henry | Ridley Bent | 3:56 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Rattlesnake Moonshine | Ridley Bent | 4:36 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
In the Trunk of a Black Lexus | Ridley Bent | 4:20 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Badmuthafunkster | Ridley Bent | 4:13 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Bad Day | Ridley Bent | 5:13 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Gunslingin' Dog | Ridley Bent | 12:02 | Album Only | View In iTunes |
| Total: 10 Songs |
Album Review
"Hick-hop" was a term echoed by more than a few reviewers in describing this debut release by Ridley Bent in their attempt to categorize his rootsy storytelling over busy backing tracks; but, much like the earlier attempt of Greg Garing to fuse bluegrass and trip-hop, Blam ultimately fails to create a new genre, instead being an uneven exploration of sonic backgrounds for his compelling narratives. The story-songs are excellent (in interviews Bent is fond of crediting prolific Western author Louis l'Amour as an inspiration), showcasing Bent's considerable talent at invention, his creative playfulness, and his strong verbal skills. The backing music — fusing hard rock guitar riffs, old-school beats, funky basslines, snappy scratching, and so on — is sometimes interesting, occasionally inventive, but more often both unfocused and self-aware, providing background without accompaniment, an ambience often more numbing than supportive. Overall it is easy to lose the thread of Bent's lyrics in the verses, as he sticks to a narrow vocal delivery, half-talking, half-singing, with the listener only brought back into the song at the choruses or the occasional instrumental break. Still, it is impossible to be dismissive, and sometimes Bent's writing can be clever and memorable: "I'm Johnny Cash when I'm drinkin', I'm the Clash when I'm thinkin', I'm Mad Max when I'm drivin', I'm Mike Diamond when I'm rhymin', I'm Humphrey Bogart when I'm smokin', I'm Bob Marley when I'm tokin', and in bed when I'm dreamin' I'm a guitar-slingin' demon" goes the catchy chorus of "Suicidewinder." He evokes social radicalism à la Utah Phillips or Woody Guthrie in the historical "Fruit Pickers (In Dubious Battle)" and turns in a lovely romantic sketch with "Pastures of Heaven," a song that works musically as well as lyrically. Clearly Blam shows Bent to be a songwriter of considerable talent and charm, even though the fusion of hip-hop and funk with his anecdotal writing style didn't work on all levels. Still, for fans of Bent, Blam definitely has its charms.
Customer Reviews
Makes You Want to Strut!
What a great combination...a perfect blend of mud and bling. The first song I heard (Suicidewinder) made me want to hang a guitar in my gun rack in my F-150 pick-up instead of a hunting rifle! One note...there is one 'shop floor' word in Suicidewinder...incase you are crankin it with the kids around.
Brilliant!
I agree with the rest of the reviewers, Mr. Bent blends several genres into a refreshing new sound. I generally don't like Hip-Hop or Country but I love his stuff. It sits in my car's CD player all the time and I haven't got tired of it since last Christmas. I can't wait to hear his next one. Incidently, I saw him in concert in Edmonton and found him to be very down-to-earth and entertaining (thanks for the autograph!). I loved his song about "My Psychotic Ex-Girlfriend", hope it shows up on the next album. Keep up the great work!
Hip Cowboy Lolliby?
The beat is simple but rythmic with the guitars and some hip-hop background; the story is comprehensible so one wants to listen to it completely.
Biography
Born: 1979 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
Years Active:
