TRACK #428:

Monster Reggae by Frank’ N’ Stein

I’m not really one to disparage an entire genre of music. I tend to think every style has its artists and releases that prove a good song is just a good song.

But man, do I not like Reggae.

It’s just not a sound I want surrounding me. At least not the Reggae I’ve been exposed to anyway. Which admittedly, while more expansive than simply Bob Marley, isn’t the widest range. I’m sure there’s songs and artists that would prove my opening statement true, but I’m not sure I’m tryin to find out.

Now, that all might seem perfectly evident to long time listeners, as The Shindig thus far contains exactly no Reggae. I’m pretty sure it’s not because there’s just a dearth of Reggae songs about Monsters, because there seems to be a bunch. Not an abundance, but they’re out there. The ones I’ve come across over the years, though, haven’t really tickled the itch. Is that even a saying? Probably not.

Except for this one, which despite its name, doesn’t sound all that much like Reggae to me. Sure, there’s nothing else you’d really call this, what with that shuffley guitar riff and it’s general tempo. And hell, it’s certainly claiming to be Reggae and who am I to argue? But hey, Boris Picket claimed The Monster Rap was Rap, so. And yeah, I mean I guess technically it is that. But it’s not exactly that. And let’s not forget Edgar Winter or Elvira, each of whom claim the same, and I can certainly envision staunch pushback from the Hip-Hop community.

What I mean to say is is that this song is not irritatingly Reggae sounding, ya know, like most Reggae.

Which helps, because this song is practically begging to be on The Shindig, an entreaty I’ve denied to more than just a handful of songs based on my own personal preferences over the years. Not sounding irritating is certainly a plus over here.

But this one? I dunno. I kinda like it. And man if it ain’t Monstery. And it’s a Mysterioso Pizzicato offender to boot? It’s like the most Mysterioso Pizzicatoy song ever! The entire bass lick is the Pizzicato for almost the entire song, c’mon now. It’s also our first Pizzacato offender of the season, I might add.

So maybe this is the one. Maybe this is the song I point to when I say, “Hey, every genre has good shit. Even Reggae.”