TRACK LISTING     VIDEOS     BIOGRAPHY     DISCOGRAPHY     NEWS l TOUR DATES     FORUMS     GALLERY     MEDIA l PRESS KIT   Thecyberkrib.com - October 2003 - Album Review Pocket Dwellers - LifeCheck (Urbnet Records) Reported by: Rec - 10/06/03 I've never had the pleasure of seeing the Pocket Dwellers live, but their sophomore release, Lifecheck, makes it clear just how much I'm missing. Following in the same vein as the first album, Digitally Organic, this album was recorded during back-to-back shows at the Reverb in Toronto, and showcases their live approach to music. This live band has a sound that is entrenched in a jazz/funk background, but is most certainly hip hop. In this atmosphere, the MC's (Nigel Williams) voice is an instrument in the same sense as the drum (Marco Raposo), bass (Gordon Shields), guitar (Christian McKibbin), saxophone (Dennis Passley Jr., Johnny Griffith), and turntables (Sheldon Moore). This makes for a very full sound that differs greatly from the beat-production-voice-over formula of most rap artists. Some listeners may find this challenging, but this reviewer found the experience both refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable. Undoubtedly, listeners will draw comparisons between the Pocket Dwellers and other contemporary groups such as the Herbaliser, Cinematic Orchestra, and the Roots. This is, of course, a fair comparison, however, the Dwellers sound is definitely their own. Like the Herbaliser, their songs are heavily funkdafied, but the Pocket beats often bend the tempo in a fashion that screams "jazz". The Cinematic Orchestra makes much less use of the MC. Comparisons abound, but the Pocket Dwellers have managed to come very original in a very tight niche of live "urban" music. Lifecheck is both danceable head nodder and complex musical composition; hip hop and jazz. Their is not one song that drops the ball on this album, but some standout above the others. "Ask Somebody" has a bouncy beat and a dirty switch-up from verse to hook. On "Homage", the crew give respects to those who paved their way. Instrumental tracks "13th Funk" and "Green Light" really showcase the band's abilities, especially the frenetic pace of the latter. I should point out, also, that the album is laced with solos, so the individual artists really get the chance to shine. The MC steps to the plate and eats the beat on "Listen to This". This type of sound isn't for everyone. Those who like their music, especially their hip hop, minimalist will probably find the Pocket Dwellers over the top. However, listeners who enjoy a more full, live sound should definitely give this one a spin. Beats: 5 Rhymes: 4 Originality: 4.5