Posted on 09/09/2008
Lee "Scratch" Perry is one of the most prolific producers in reggae history, and while it can be argued that his best work is behind him, it hasn't stopped him from recording new music in the 21st century. For his 54th studio album, Perry has made this a production collaboration with Andrew W.K.

Those who only know W.K. for his mainstream work might be surprised to know that he is not only classically trained, but is a fan of the experimental and avant-garde, and that openness to anything and everything plays very well on Repentance. "War Dance" sounds like some of the best reggae Perry has ever produced, but with a more modern approach, and it has the potential to become a single. Some songs sound more along the lines of down tempo and electronica than anything reggae or dancehall, but there's a steady (and heady) consciousness that involves going into the mind of Perry, where any and all output is automatically reggae by default. "God Save His King" speaks of holy figures saving the world through the power of ganja, while "Baby Sucker" is a raunchy stoned tale where he celebrates mutual sex with relatives and infants. Bizarre indeed, but not as bizarre as the freaky techno dance beats of "Santa Claus," complete with babbling, gibberish, and a southern styled "YEE-HAW!" yell before getting into a brief chant about Mickey Mouse.

Perry has often talked about being channeled in by singers and musicians of the past and the present, so if Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, and the ladies of Booty Luv were tapping into Perry's mind at the same time, he would interpret it in a way only he understands. Whatever dialogue he hears in his mind, it comes out in his songs, regardless of how schizophrenic the final messages are. When things are on a sane level, Perry and W.K. are able to create songs that are some of Perry's most accessible in decades. Fortunately, W.K. is capable of deciphering Perry's lyrical delusions into something just as confusing and beautiful, enough to where it deserves repeat listens. As high as Perry tends to be, Repentance is a down to Earth album that becomes a highlight in his very deep Arkology.

- John Book