Vex is an album by the English reggae band Steel Pulse, released in 1994.[2][3] The band added dancehall sounds to its traditional reggae.[4] The band promoted the album with a North American tour.[5]
| Vex | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Recorded | Grove Studio, Ocho Rios, Jamaica | |||
| Genre | Reggae | |||
| Length | 60:35 | |||
| Label | MCA[1] | |||
| Producer | Steel Pulse, Stephen Stewart | |||
| Steel Pulse chronology | ||||
| ||||
The album peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart.[6]
Production edit
The album was produced by the band and Stephen Stewart.[7] "New World Order" criticizes the Clinton administration.[8] "No Justice, No Peace" was inspired by the 1992 Los Angeles riots.[9] Tony Rebel contributed to "Bootstraps".[10]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| The Indianapolis Star | [12] |
The Edmonton Journal noted the "gentler ... smoothed-out sound."[13] The Chicago Tribune deemed the album "equal parts love songs and personal, social and political manifestos," writing that "luckily, even the topical material is eminently groovable."[14] The Gazette wrote that "lead vocalist David Hinds has one of the most expressive reggae voices around and his band is as tight as a fist."[15] The Indianapolis Star stated that "Vex finds Steel Pulse succeeding in delivering tough messages in an accessible musical framework."[12]
Track listing edit
- "Bootstraps" – 4:48
- "Back to My Roots" – 4:59
- "Islands Unite" – 4:20
- "Better Days" – 4:50
- "In My Life" – 4:36
- "Endangered Species" – 4:34
- "New World Order" – 4:30
- "X Resurrection" – 4:34
- "Whirlwind Romance" – 4:56
- "No Justice, No Peace" – 4:43
- "Dirty H2O" – 4:19
- "Dub to My Roots" – 4:58
- "Dubite" – 4:18
References edit
- ^ Roberts, Michael. "THE REAL STEEL". Westword.
- ^ "Steel Pulse Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ^ "Reggae Veterans Steel Pulse Plan Nearly Nonstop Tour". MTV.
- ^ "Perfect Sound Forever: Steel Pulse". Perfect Sound Forever.
- ^ Carter, Kevin L. (11 November 1994). "STEEL PULSE". FEATURES WEEKEND. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 15.
- ^ "REGGAE ALBUMS". Weekend. Orlando Sentinel. Billboard. 14 October 1994. p. 15.
- ^ "Album reviews — Vex by Steel Pulse". Billboard. 106 (45): 94. 5 November 1994.
- ^ Morse, Steve (15 November 1994). "Steel Pulse's political reggae: survival skill for '90s". ARTS & FILM. The Boston Globe. p. 74.
- ^ McDonald, Sam (18 November 1994). "STEEL PULSE KEEPS RACING". InRoads. Daily Press. Newport News. p. 16.
- ^ Professor Skank (25 November 1994). "'VEX' Steel Pulse". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 8G.
- ^ Vex at AllMusic
- ^ a b Konz, Joe (5 December 1994). "Steel Pulse 'Vex'". The Indianapolis Star. p. D4.
- ^ Levesque, Roger (30 October 1994). "STEEL PULSE: Vex". Edmonton Journal. p. D9.
- ^ Kening, Dan (25 November 1994). "Steel Pulse, Tuesday at Park West...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
- ^ Feist, Daniel (3 December 1994). "STEEL PULSE Vex". The Gazette. p. D4.