CD Review

By now you’ve heard the Matisyahu story - former Phish head turned Hasidic roots reggae artist who becomes an almost overnight sensation. But the story has a new chapter, one that includes this drama-draped new release. Just days before his studio debut Youth hit the shelves, Matisyahu apparently dumped his old friends at the non-profit label JDub and headed for more “greener” pastures. So now that he’s juggling Passover invitations from Madonna, you have to wonder, has the former Matthew Millers gotten two big for his black hat and coat? Youth lets us decide if Matisyahu is the real deal or just the next Snow.

Although it's ironic hearing “King Without A Crown” from last years Live at Stubb's played between Foo Fighters and Coldplay on big league alternative rock radio, the track is certainly his coming out party, earning a closing spot on Youth. Unfortunately it’s a highlight preceded by the album equivalent of a lackluster prayer session. The title track proves Matisyahu has crossover talents as the reggae is dropped in favor of more straight-ahead rock approach, and the island flavored rhythms of “Dispatch The Troops” are spliff friendly enough to please the masses. The stark “What I’m Fighting For,” with acoustic guitar melody is Matisyahu’s turn at “Redempton Song,” and he quotes Matthew Wilder’s 80’s hit “Break My Stride” oddly enough in “Jerusalem.” But whether or not Matisyahu’s fifteen minutes are almost up, Live at Stubb's will most likely be his true defining groove. Either way, that guy Matisyahu makes for good conversation.