Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
"Bright Days"
Easy Star Records
The Rochester reggae-roots road dogs in Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, have really outdone themselves on this very-non reggae outing, "Bright Days." It's splendiferously magnifantabulous and you can quote me on that. Now this isn't the band's first departure from its one-drop, rock steady rage — a groove it has completely mastered back to front.
The band first dove into its Americana side with the release of "Country" in 2012. These two facets of GPGDS's sound complement each other when juxtaposed. Looking at the band's whole scope of work to date; the reggae is even more deep-dish-delicious while the Americana has a casual yet beautiful lope to it (thanks in part to the copious amounts of lap steel luxury). The jams on "Bright Days" are slightly reminiscent of the Dead except in this case the jams actually go somewhere. The playing on this album (available on vinyl) is comfortably loose, proficient, and respectful. The band knows how to not crowd a song and let it breathe. This is perfect music for taking your clothes off and running naked outside. Join me, won't you?
