Public Property

Movement sees Public Property distancing themselves somewhat from the more authentic roots reggae sound of their previous effort, What’s Going Down, for more amiable and accessible reggae pop. Similar to fellow U.S. college circuit players Sim Redman, Public Property mine funk and African grooves alongside jammy rock and American reggae. The powerful "Wage War” and the title track gravitate back to their previous sound but on the whole the album lacks the fat grooves and driving intensity of What’s Going Down. With a mix that accentuates the vocal performance and high-end over the bottom-heavy bass and drums that this music really needs to kick-start it, Movement ends up feeling overly hygienic and, at times, downright corny. "Kangaroo Loveshack” is the kind of title any artist, save Weird Al, should stay away from, and "Everyone is Africa,” with lyrics about shaking your ass, passing the grass and raising a glass, just comes across as hackneyed. Not to mention that the faux rap of "When a Boy” might be an exercise in when not to use the word "ho” in a song.