''Vex'' is an album by the English reggae band
Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse are a roots reggae band from the Handsworth area of Birmingham, England. They originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, and were composed of David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals), and Ron ...
, released in 1994. The band added dancehall sounds to its traditional reggae. The band promoted the album with a North American tour.
The album peaked at No. 7 on the ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
'' Top Reggae Albums chart.
Production
The album was produced by the band and Stephen Stewart. "New World Order" criticizes the Clinton administration. "No Justice, No Peace" was inspired by the
1992 Los Angeles riots
The 1992 Los Angeles riots, sometimes called the 1992 Los Angeles uprising and the Los Angeles Race Riots, were a series of riots and civil disturbances that occurred in Los Angeles County, California, in April and May 1992. Unrest began in S ...
.
Tony Rebel
Patrick George Anthony Barrett (born 15 January 1962), better known by his stage name Tony Rebel, is a Jamaican reggae deejay.
Career
Born in Manchester Parish, Jamaica, Barrett was initially a singer, appearing as Papa Tony or Tony Ranking in ...
contributed to "Bootstraps".
Critical reception
The ''
Edmonton Journal
The ''Edmonton Journal'' is a daily newspaper in Edmonton, Alberta. It is part of the Postmedia Network.
History
The ''Journal'' was founded in 1903 by three local businessmen — John Macpherson, Arthur Moore and J.W. Cunningham — as ...
'' noted the "gentler ... smoothed-out sound." The ''
Chicago Tribune
The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television ar ...
'' deemed the album "equal parts love songs and personal, social and political manifestos," writing that "luckily, even the topical material is eminently groovable." ''
The Gazette
The Gazette (stylized as the GazettE), formerly known as , is a Japanese visual kei Rock music, rock band, formed in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kanagawa in early 2002.''Shoxx'' Vol 106 June 2007 pg 40-45 The band is currently signed to Sony Music Recor ...
'' wrote that "lead vocalist David Hinds has one of the most expressive reggae voices around and his band is as tight as a fist."
''
The Indianapolis Star
''The Indianapolis Star'' (also known as ''IndyStar'') is a morning daily newspaper that began publishing on June 6, 1903, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It has been the only major daily paper in the city since 1999, when the ''Indianap ...
'' stated that "''Vex'' finds Steel Pulse succeeding in delivering tough messages in an accessible musical framework."
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Track listing
#"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
{{Authority control
Steel Pulse albums
1994 albums
MCA Records albums