As usual, Michael Franti and Spearhead resist any kind of pigeonholing. Though it could be loosely classified as a hip-hop album, Everyone Deserves Music is, more accurately, a well-crafted and eclectic collection of political protest songs and power ballads. Franti and crew confidently build upon a vast array of musical styles, ranging from the electro-Caribbean funk that bubbles through “Pray for Grace” to the smooth, classic-rock styling of “Love Why Did You Go Away.” “We Don’t [Read More...]
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A big YEAH! for the return of Michael Franti and Spearhead.
A powerful blend of political insight, classic r&b riffs, electronica influence and one of the best baritones in the business, “Everyone Deserves Music” is an incredibly worthy successor to one of the best albums of the last five years, “Stay Human”.
The best tracks (practically) bookend the collection - “What I Be” is a playful romp that uses Michael’s voice as well as any instrument - excellent beats and real uplifting lyrics. And “Bomb The World” (Armageddon Version), makes great use of a guest appearance by the too-long-missing Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespear to recraft this song into a rocking Carribean jam. And when Michael’s impassioned voice calls out “We can bomb the world to pieces - but we can’t bomb it into peace”, you can’t help but feel affected.
“Everyone” is, much like “Stay Human” an irresistable blend of rock, soul, hip-hop, and many other genres. But the one constant is, as always, some of the most uplifting lyrics you will ever hear committed to CD. Pay close attention to the words (primarly written by Michael) to enjoy one of our most empowering, universal-love embracing lyricists.
I saw Michael Franti play a free acoustic show here in Edinburgh this Sunday. We were waiting in line outside the venue at one in the afternoon. Then, boom, he just walks out the front door with his rasta hat, his bare feet, his guitar and a huge smile. He shouted out that the weather was so nice that he was moving the concert outside. We all sat down, I took my shoes off too and listened. He sang “Yes I will” right in front of me on the sidewalk, and mixed it into Bob Marley’s “Sun is Shining”.
This album rocks. I first heard Bomb the World (Armageddon Mix) on Thurston Moore’s protest records website. Heard it again when Franti played the anti-war marches in San Francisco. Pray for Grace is a favorite, although it sounded even better and more soulful live and acoustic.
I have something like 3000 CDs and know the music of kajillions of bands. Michael Franti and Spearhead make the top five. Elliott Smith has a song called “A distorted reality is now necessary to be free.” Usually I agree with that, but not when I listen to Spearhead. Franti travelled to Bahgdad to visit children in hospitals who’d been blown apart by bombs, and play music for them. He can bring this reality into your mind–a reality most of us strive to hide from (with the able assistance of our media)–but he does it in such a graceful way that we are moved to sorrow but at the same time we are in touch with the joys of life.
This music will make you whole again. It is catharsis to a dance rhythm.
Buy it. Support Spearhead. Go see them live.
Said Franti at the show: “It takes more courage to reach out and connect with people than it does to bomb them or strap explosives around your gut.”