Altsounds - The Rebel Yell - Love & War [Album]

James Poyser is an accomplished producer and keyboardist from Philadelphia who has lent his talents to acts such as Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Jill Scott, Common, and The Roots. He finally has his own project, The Rebel Yell, and their debut album, "Love & War" is a danceable mix of Hip Hop and R&B. As you would expect from someone with such impressive producing chops, the album is richly layered with a variety of instruments, lots of keyboards, and percussion that pops on almost every track. Poyser taps Khari Ferrari Mateen and SupaStar provide lead vocals, both of whom have worked with The Roots among others. They do a nice job throughout trading off in their respective styles.

It’s an ambitious project. The Rebel Yell attempts a lot of different feels in “Love & War,” and for the most part they succeed. I am reminded at various times of Gnarls Barkley, Prince, and even Cornershop. That is perhaps “Love & War’s” greatest weakness: most of this album is familiar territory. There are quite a few tracks on the album that are tired, or muddled, or flat. ‘Army of Misfits,’ for example, is a catchy song that escapes sounding like an old Beatles song only through bright synthesizer work. ‘Get Off’ is a cool club tune, but I have heard a dozen songs like it.

That said, there is some interesting, even exciting music on this release. The title track, ‘Love & War’ features a great vocal melody backed by flutes and (synthesized) harpsichord with just a dash of Hip Hop. ‘Life’ is an oozy, minor key contemplation of life driven by prowling guitar and percussion that lands on the snare with both feet.

"Love & War" is a solid effort with some well-written songs and a good sound, but it is unlikely to climb very high on the charts. You may not want to pick up the entire release, but definitely give a listen to individual tracks and maybe purchase a few. This much talent in one room is bound to hit your ear a few times.