Subb The Motions. Release Date : August 8, 2006. Label: Stomp Records. Rating: Activated. (Screw points. To each his own!) Sheesh, just looking over the cover of this album makes me feel like a bad person. I'm by no means apathetic but I'm certainly not an activist either - disagreeing with a lot but not making much effort to change things. There's so much wrong with the world, so many issues to spread yourself thinly over. If only a cure was as easy as writing an album. The people in charge enough to actually make the changes aren't going to listen to a punk album and think, "Hmm, maybe we SHOULD do something differently..." and the people who listen to this album and try to make the big guns change their ways, already believe this stuff wholeheartedly. Awareness, I guess. Anyhow, The first track, "A Little More Of Chomsky (a little less of you and me)" is a straight-up fast-paced punk song, not unlike the recently-reviewed Anti-Flag album. But the second tune, "The Motions," is a reggae-infused tune that puts to shame anything Bedouin Soundclash is churning out. Then it's back to punk. Then it's back to reggae. Do I smell a trend? Oh wait here's a punky-reggae song after that. This album sounds deceptively happy considering the hardcore activist nature of the subject matter. I actually rather like the reggae songs on this disc. Hmm. Funny how they make fun of "Fashionistas" - but really it just seems geared towards general youth. They insult their contemporaries who are mad and whine pointlessly, and about music fans who wear band tshirts and 'the same' jeans. Aren't they wearing similar jeans? And selling band tshirts? And getting angry, in some peoples' minds pointlessly? I dont see anything on this album jacket saying the plastic (gasp!) or card or inks used are either recyclable, biodegradable, or non-toxic. Although environmental issues like that don't appear to strongly on their list of concerns. It's all about animals, fair trade, and conformist society. Alec Baldwin - cool. Only he's talking about disembowelling animals. Sucks to be an omnivorous species, huh people? That deer that got brought down by the wolf over there also appears to be quite alive while it's hindquarters are being munched on. I sound cruel and evil don't I? We're wasteful and neglectful, but we're still animals. Go find a humane farming products distributor near you instead. Wow - to each his own I guess, this shouldn't get into my political ballyhoo! So an album of equal punk and reggae, pretty uppity, and will probably cause a number of mosh pits the world over. Song of choice : Totally like the summertime vibe of "The Motions." -Andy Scheffler Elsewhere Subb website Published : January, 2007.