Slightly Stoopid

Everything You Need (2003)

hstisgod

What happened when Sublime stopped making records due to the untimely death of Brad Nowell? Did you regress, and go back to your individual rap, rock or reggae? Did you wonder, like me, if somewhere in the world this unique combination of genre existed in another artist? Well, it did, it does, and we're all missing out (congrats to those who knew).

Slightly Stoopid is not the most popular of artists. For whatever reason, this ska/punk, reggae, rap/rock vibe just never made it outside of the West coast region of the United States. With the 2003 release of Everything You Need, it's blaringly obvious to me I just was not paying enough attention. During my residency out in California a friend of mine broke it down for me: "If you love Sublime, you're missing out bro" / "And while they're similar to Sublime, they got their own shit, man." I 'yea yea'd' him to death and promised to give a listen.

It may have been three months after re-locating myself back to the East coast when I heard about this album. I did as I promised my friend, and downloaded a few tracks, not all that psyched about the impending results, nor realizing I just found my next top 20 favorite album of all time. After a few listens I was addicted. While managing a CD store, I started to promote the crap out of this LP. Tracks such as "Killing Me Deep inside" and "Sweet Honey" became reasons for customers to remember me and my little indie CD store.

G Love and Special Sauce make an appearance on the appropriately named track, "Mellow Mood." The lyrical content is predictably just not important. While you need a lead lyric, man, and you get one, you'll pay more attention to the style and delivery than the actual lyrics. If you're stressing out, running people out of your life, or just plain ol' getting crazy from the other angst crap music that rules your life, this CD may bring you back down to earth.

Although, don't purchase and expect 14 five-minute chill songs. The most respectable and thrilling moments of the disc are when these guys flow from the punk-flavored "Perfect Gentleman" back down to the smoke-inducing "Wicked Rebel." But if you really want to get your heartbeat back into the swing of things you only need track 8, the aforementioned "Sweet Honey." Take three of these and call anyone in the morning; "But wont you tell me that your love's from the heart, yes the type of lovin' that can tear mine apart; girl you got to realize before it ever starts, yes I am the man who wont come breakin' your heart." Though upbeat and rhythmic, the simple typing of cheesy lyrics can not possibly explain the heart of this song. Once again, the very next track shows the diversity in which we've all been missing out.

Track 9 "Punk Rock Billy" can not be misidentified as anything but an ode to anything goes-type of guitar punk rock. Though, this CD really comes to a head in track 10, "World Goes Round," a three minute-and-fifty-four second rap till you're out of breath collaboration featuring I-Man. Immediately I was reminded of the Outkast release Aquemini. At least, that soulfully funky hip-hop vibe that flows through it.

Shit, these guys are so diversely talented they've even satisfied the John Denver fans with arguably the most improved version of "Leaving on a Jet Plane" in years. Invite some friends over for drinks, get the greens, and enjoy the ride.