ARTIST: Matisyahu
TITLE: Youth
LABEL: JDub/Or/Epic
GENRE: Reggae
BITRATE: 200kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 46min total
RELEASE DATE: 2006-03-07
RIP DATE: 2006-03-01

Track List

01. Fire Of Heaven/Altar Of Earth   3:59
02. Youth                           4:18
03. Time Of Your Song               4:27
04. Dispatch The Troops             4:05
05. Indestructible                  4:09
06. What I'm Fighting For           2:11
07. Jerusalem                       4:00
08. WP                              3:58
09. Shalom/Saalam                   1:06
10. Late Night In Zion              3:13
11. Unique Is My Dove               3:24
12. Ancient Lullaby                 4:18
13. King Without A Crown            3:42

Release Notes:

Matisyahu is no gimmick.

Even if most of his fans are drawn as much by his faith as his music,
the orthodox Jewish reggae rapper compels with an almost supernatural
stage presence and rhyme style.

Those who trudged through Sunday’s snowdrifts to see the bearded anomaly
at Avalon were rewarded with more than just divine flows. They got the
full-force reggae show including psychedelic backdrops and a chill mood
to match.

It’s unusual to see a hot independent artist tour with accordion-toting,
Yiddish-speaking Canadian rappers. But Matisyahu shows are anything but
traditional, including the opening act, Montreal’s So Called.

A rap crew of one, So Called came off as a bit of an amateur. But his
jester style and Larry-from-the-Three Stooges haircut garnered ample
laughs from the mild-mannered crowd, a diverse bunch sporting a mix of
yarmulkes, BoSox hats, hoodies and dreadlocks. They didn’t brave a
blizzard out of mere curiosity.

From the minute Matisyahu hit the stage in his signature black getup,
heads were singing along. The cheery ‘‘Raise Me Up” got people vibing,
and the radio hit ‘‘King Without A Crown” triggered dance-floor
hysterics.

Matisyahu was aided by a sharp three-piece band that provided flaming
riffs for the frontman to spit fire over.

Although his ‘‘Live at Stubb’s” album recently passed the 100,000 sales
mark, Matisyahu was already prepping for next month’s release of his
second studio album, ‘‘Youth.” Judging by the nonstop dancing at
Avalon, his new material will be as well-received as his breakout
tracks.

The only disappointment was Matisyahu’s refusal to peel off his coat
and hat and stage-dive, as he’s famously done at past shows. Though he
flashed his exceptional beat-boxing skills and delivered the colorful
roots ring that he’s become renowned for, he kept his jacket on through
the encore.

There’s no doubt that Matisyahu is one of music’s shooting stars. In
one year he’s graduated from opening act at small clubs to Avalon
headliner. Whether people support him for his values or his vibe, one
thing is certain: Matisyahu cooks up some serious reggae while making
religion sound more fly than Amy Grant or D.C. Talk ever did.