Artist: Dub Syndicate Album: Tunes From The Missing Channel

Year: 1997
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of Dub Syndicate's Album Tunes From The Missing Channel

Dub Syndicate is a British dub band formed in 1982 by musician and producer Adrian Sherwood. They have released numerous albums throughout their career, but we will focus on their 1985 release Tunes From The Missing Channel. This album is widely regarded as one of their best and most innovative works in the dub genre. In this blog post, we will provide a brief history of the artist, delve into the music genre of the album, highlight the best songs, and critically analyze the album's most innovative parts.

Dub Syndicate was formed as a collaboration between Adrian Sherwood and the drummer Lincoln Style Scott. The band also featured various musicians who were members of Sherwood's record label, On-U Sound. Dub Syndicate's music was heavily influenced by reggae and dub, but also incorporated elements of punk and electronic music. Tunes From The Missing Channel was their second album and was released in 1985. It received critical acclaim for its innovative use of samples, drum machines, and studio effects.

The album Tunes From The Missing Channel is an excellent representation of the dub genre. It features intricate drum patterns, heavy basslines, and echoed vocals that create a hypnotic and immersive listening experience. The album has a variety of tracks that showcase the range of Dub Syndicate's sound. For example, Over Board features a driving bassline and a reggae-inspired guitar riff while Out & About incorporates a haunting melody played on an electronic keyboard.

The standout tracks on the album include Pounding System, Lions Share, and The Show is Coming. The track Pounding System features a catchy drum pattern that builds throughout the song, adding more layers of percussion and echoing vocals. Lions Share starts with a funky bassline that leads into a heavy dub rhythm that features an intriguing use of samples. The Show is Coming is a beautiful track that starts with a melody played on an electronic keyboard and builds with a driving rhythm and intricate percussion.

The most innovative part of the album is the use of samples, drum machines, and studio effects. Dub Syndicate was one of the early pioneers of using these techniques in dub music, and Tunes From The Missing Channel showcases their mastery of these techniques. The album features a wide range of samples, including snippets of speeches, sounds from nature, and snippets of other songs. The use of drum machines and studio effects also adds to the album's unique sound, creating a futuristic and otherworldly atmosphere.

In terms of criticisms, some may find the album to be too repetitive or lacking in variety. While the album does have a cohesive sound and style, some of the tracks can blend together after continued listening. Additionally, some may find the use of samples and electronic effects to be overbearing or distracting from the traditional dub sound.

Tunes From The Missing Channel is a landmark album in the dub genre and an excellent representation of Dub Syndicate's sound and style. The album showcases the band's mastery of the dub sound and their innovative use of samples, drum machines, and studio effects. While some may find the album repetitive or lacking in variety, it remains a classic in the genre and a must-listen for fans of dub music. Overall, Tunes From The Missing Channel is a triumph of creativity and experimentation, and a testament to Dub Syndicate's legacy in the world of music.