Youth

This album is one that was a great follow-up to his live album, and also his debut album, Shake Off the Dust...Arise. There are definitely a ton of Jewish themes here, also there is a definite rise in production values compared to his first studio album, although I'm not quite sure if that is a good thing or not. I'm sure those of you who loved his debut album will think this album is a bit overproduced, but the message still rings loud and clear. Since this album, he has become more and more mainstream, with Spark Seeker being his most pop-sounding album. This album still has the elements of reggae, but this is where it starts to fade a bit. He's done a lot of experimenting since this album, and most of it has been good. I'll give you a track-by-track rundown:1. Fire of Heaven/Altar of Earth: Great opening to the album, a nice introduction to his new sound. 8/102. Youth: The title track of his album. It is a great song with a great chorus, and one of the best on the album. 9/103. Time of Your Song: I love this song. It is one of my favorites on this album. The chorus is very strong, and the beat and instrumentals are wonderful. 10/104. Dispatch the Troops: This song is good, and it has all the elements of a good Matisyahu song. 8/105. Indestructible: I really enjoy this song, it has so much soul to it, definitely recommended.6. What I'm Fighting For: A short acoustic song that really encapsulates the soul of what Matisyahu is trying to get across in his songs. 9/107. Jerusalem: This song is great on all levels. It is catchy, soulful, and a song you can truly dance to. This is the best song on the album IMO. 10/108. WP: I guess this is a song about Matisyahu's roots, when he was younger, and it is totally enjoyable, not to mention showing how he came to be interested in music with one of his childhood friends. 9/109. Shalom/Saalam: I'll be honest, this one I don't listen to much. It is an instrumental, and I'm not quite sure what it means, being a non-Jew. 7/1010. Late Night in Zion: Another one of my favorites. It is a great song about a man is just a man filled with faults and weakness. Sounds incredible. 10/1011. Unique is My Dove: About his wife, a nice pleasant song about how his wife is the other half of his soul. 9/1012. Ancient Lullaby: I'll be honest. I never liked this song until I heard a different version of it on Live at Stubb's 2. It's a little light, and I would recommend Mist Rising as a better version on the live album. 7/1013. King Without a Crown: This version of this song sounds more like the live version, which makes it more rock-sounding than the original. I think it is better like this, but nothing compares to that live one. Still, excellent version. 9/10Well, that's it for me. I recommend that this album is definitely worth buying, because it is a great album with songs that almost anyone would like. Very spiritual, and very catchy.

"Youth" comes at a time when Americans are living in a cultural famine; especially young Americans. And, I was starving for some good music until I got this CD! I am so sick of the boring, tone-deaf, untalented "artists" that promulgate the airwaves of MTV.This is one of the very best CD's of 2006, if not the best. All of the tracks are perfectly melded together to form one amazing masterpiece that is YOUTH!Some of my favorite track on the CD are:* Youth - This is the title-track, and rightfully so. Matisyahu uses all of his vocal capabilities on this song. It is a fast, and impulsive song.* Jerusalem - This is a little slower than "Youth" but it's still an awesome song. I love how it starts. The background music and lyrics are amazing.* WP - This is perhaps my favorite song on the entire CD. Because it is pure poetry, and all the words are so powerful. This song mixes both rap, and reggae. I love especially enjoyed the lyrics at the end; very beautiful.It is unfortunate that Matisyahu isn't getting the exposure he deserves because he doesn't pander to the lowest common denominator (like most pop stars do.) But, perhaps that's better than being a sell-out?Just because he's a Jew that sings raggae doesn't mean that you won't enjoy his music. Listen to some of the lyrics with an open ear and an open mind and you will find that Matisyahu transcends cultural (and musical) barriers.

Matisyahu's apparent randomness of identity--a Jewish reggae singer--becomes less random the more you listen. Rastafari and Judaism both study the same book, and when it is interpreted as Matisyahu does--with universal compassion and amazing lyrical rhythms--you get an outstanding force of goodness.

This review comes from the perspective of a Christian who likes rhythm, but has not really participated much in other or mainstream Reggae. The novelty of a Hassidic rapper and my heavy study and love of and for the Old Testament (which Matisyahu is forever quoting) drew me into buying the Album Live at Stubbs. I have not heard their other album. Compared to Live at Stubbs, Youth shows excellent growth for an already talented and passionate group of artists. Live at Stubbs has very much the same sound, and to some extent, tempo in each song and one can only listen to it so many times. The present album shows grand variation with the established 'vibe.' Clearly, a lot of good production went into this album and it is well worth the purchase!