Pepper – No Shame

Pepper – No Shame / 2006 Volcom / 18 Tracks / http://www.pepperlive.com / http://www.volcoment.com / Reviewed 25 January 2007

Pepper is a band that I reviewed a few years back. When I reviewed “In With The Old”, I found an album that was solid but one that did not push any new types of styles or approaches during its runtime. The disc’s first track (“No Shame’s” “Bring Me Along”) is a track that is insistent in its laid-back styling. The musical styles used during this track include the brand of acoustic rock that has been created by individuals like Dave Matthews and the more reggae stylings of 311. While the track is catchy, it simply relies too heavily on repetition as a tactic which Pepper uses to ensnare listeners. While the track is not too terribly long, the band needs a catchy bass line placed right at the beginning of “Rent” to keep individuals listening in.

“Rent” is a track that has a nice use of different vocal approaches by Pepper, and provides a strong alternative to the track “Bring Me Along”. The band is simply stronger during this track than they were during “Bring Me Along”. Again, the chorus relies a great deal on repetition, but it seems as if Pepper is trying to ween itself off this style as they move along on “No Shame”. I can see where the act is trying to maneuver itself into the position of a new Sublime, but the band will have a lot of work to do before they can be considered to be of that caliber. That is not necessarily a dig at Pepper either, as Sublime is so storied in the genre that few bands could reasonably try to ascend to that throne. “No Control” brings the band much more in line with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

While “No Control” has the trappings of a RHCP song, there is a reggae feel to it that seems to be enamored with the reggae stylings of “Synchronicity”-era Police. Pepper have made some improvements to their sound in the two and a half years it has been since I reviewed their last album, it is true. What was much more tedious and without any real attempts to create a niche for the band on the last disc has turned into Pepper placing some solid tracks on “No Shame”. It is thus “No Shame” that I recommend this album for purchase if you like any or all of these bands: 311, Dave Matthews Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, or Of A Revolution (O.A.R.). If your musical tastes go a little away from those styles of music, my recommendation is weakened considerably but it may just be the case that one can find music that they like on this disc.

Top Tracks: Green Hell, Bring Me Along

Rating: 6.0/10

[JMcQ]