Ellwood

Ellwood: Lost in TransitionLost in Transition (2011)
Fat Wreck Chords

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: thegimperthegimper
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Published on July 12th 2011For those that don't know, Ellwood is a new reggae group featuring members of the Mad Caddies and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies. With that pedigree, one would suspect that their debut release Lost in Transition would be at least a solid album. And that's exactly what the listener gets from this group. .

For those that don't know, Ellwood is a new reggae group featuring members of the Mad Caddies and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies. With that pedigree, one would suspect that their debut release Lost in Transition would be at least a solid album. And that's exactly what the listener gets from this group.

The album starts off with "The Deal", a catchy, uptempo reggae song that would easily get a crowd dancing. The rest of the record continues much in the same vein. They do it slow down with "There She Is", which brings to mind the Mad Caddies' "Drinking for 11".

Obviously, it's difficult to talk about this band and not talk about the Mad Caddies. Both lyrically and vocally, Chuck remains consistent with the work he does for the Mad Caddies. Essentially, Lost in Transition is a Mad Caddies album that drops the horn section and focuses more on the keyboard. The album also doesn't contain the frantic energy you may hear in a Caddies song. But none of this is meant to take away from the album.

This debut release makes for a perfect summer album to put in the car, roll down the windows, and go for a drive, enjoying the sunny weather. Ellwood has the reggae sounds you would expect from an Aggrolites or Expendables album. Despite only being nine tracks long, Lost in Transition is a strong contender for the best reggae album released this year.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

jizzo (November 17, 2011)

eazyd2 comments are fucking classic!! classic ball buster, but i do hate when douchbags that review albums say that dumb shit." oh its a great summer album, i fucking hate that shit.. sorry im not a seasonal album listener

paulrulzdood (July 15, 2011)

whoa, i respectfully disagree Scott. It's better than Quality Soft Core...that's about it. Keept It Going and Just One More are lightyears beyond this album. More stylistic variety, more depth to the musicianship and songwriting and performance...and a horn section just seems to make any ska/reggae band sound better. I don't think Elwood brings anything to the table that the Caddies don't already...except the Caddies have more to bring tot he table with other styles of music, instrumentation and have done the style found on Lost in Transition a million times over...but better (i.e. drinking for 11, backyard, state of mind, why must i wait, spare change?, etc.)

Paul

maverick (July 15, 2011)

I actually enjoy this record much more than the last few Caddies records. Sounds more natural.

-Scott

AK3punk (July 14, 2011)

Great summer jams right here.

overdefined (July 13, 2011)

Eazy2d - I just looked at your "favorite albums." HA!

notfeelingcreative (July 12, 2011)

This is currently the soundtrack to my idle summer days.

Skibz777 (July 12, 2011)

Technically, they're practically 4/4 Caddies, considering Dustin Lanker has been a touring keyboardist with the band for almost a decade and recorded on 'Keep It Going', which only makes it all the more surprising that they're actually mentioning the Cherry Poppin' Daddies in the ads for this album. I didn't realize they were considered a selling point.

paulrulzdood (July 12, 2011)

it's solid, but not as good as the Caddies. The lack of Sasha in the songwriting and performance, as well as the horn section, results in a lack of variety, depth to the musicianship and complexity of what you usually expect from this group.

yea, i kow it's not technically the caddies, but when 3/4 of your lineup is Mad Caddies personelle, comparisons will and should be made.

It's Chucks' side project and it's solid enough, but most of the songs follow one or two formats (upbeat rocksteady ska or slower ska/reggae) because he's the primary songwriter. Therefore it all kind of blends together.

However, his vocals are awesome and the music is thoroughly enjoyable, other than Mag Girl, which to me is like Preppy Girl Pt. 2 and I didn't like it the first time.

The Deal and Amsterdam Ray are the highlights...Dancin' Girl, Walking Away and track 4 are also very nice.

at 9 songs though, it is a bit short on the material...but it's a nice half hour and i'm glad to hear it i'm glad Chuck did this. It ain't the Caddies, but considering its been 4 years since we've got a Caddies album, I'll take these 9 songs...even if i have herad the Caddies do this exact same style before..except better.

Paul

Skibz777 (July 12, 2011)

Truth be told, I would love to hear thegimper's list of the year's best reggae records.

"Uh...Less Than Jake...?"

jimmynorville (July 12, 2011)

I'll buy this some day, but I really don't like how albums are getting shorter and shorter. Bad Astronaut's "Acrophobe" was 10 tracks and considered an EP.

eazyd2 (July 12, 2011)

so i live in southern hemisphere. does this mean i have to wait 6 months to enjoy this album? don't tell me which season is good to listen to what. i listen to the same music all year long.

eazyd2 (July 12, 2011)

how many reggae albums have you listened to this year you stupid poser?

Skibz777 (July 12, 2011)

Caddies are hit and miss with me, but I really dig this album....nothing groundbreaking, but a perfect soundtrack to whittle away the summer days. Chuck has a great voice and the organ work is awesome. Can't wait for the tour.

Is "uptempo reggae" interchangeable with "mellow ska"? 'Cuz I've been using the latter as a descriptor. O_o

xIxKilledxJesusx (July 12, 2011)

Aggrolites and the Expendables are pretty different to lump them together