Sublime - 40 Oz. To Freedom (1993)

Sublime have been popping up everywhere these past few months, with material appearing on an impressive number of compilation discs and soundtrack albums. Regardless of whether the band has the "manager from hell" shilling for them to get so many choice cuts placed or that somebody out there in rockland actually has some taste is irrelevant, the fact is that Sublime are one of the hottest, funkiest, freshest bands that these tired ears have heard in a long time. If you don't believe me, grab a taste of 40 Oz. To Freedom.

Sublime's 40 Oz. To Freedom kicks out a crazed blend of funk, rap, rock, ska and Latin-flavored jazz, mixing in a healthy dose of found vocals, random media samples and exquisite noise. There's the prerequisite ode to the sweet leaf, "Smoke Two Joints," complete with realistic sucking bong sounds, as well as "Let's Get Stoned," with its vibrant '60s-style guitar work and reggae rhythms. A wonderful homage to one of rap's legendary artists, "KRS-One" pays a great deal of respect to those who have blazed the trails before them. A handful of covers scrambles things up a bit on 40 Oz. To Freedom, ranging from an unexpected reading of the Dead's "Scarlet Begonias" to a forceful rendition of Bad Religion's "We're Only Going To Die For Our Arrogance." Above all else, Sublime infuse their work with a high-spirited, reckless abandon. Truly joyful performances like those on 40 Oz. To Freedom are too few and far between in today's alternative rock world. (Skunk Records/MCA)

(Click on the CD cover to buy a copy of 40 Oz. To Freedom from Amazon.com)