Panic In Babylon
Backed by the White Belly Rats, a razor sharp Swiss band that adds fire to these dense compositions and relentless grooves, Lee Perry sings on every track on *Panic in Babylon*, and as usual, he has a lot on his mind. To call the lyrics eccentric is an understatement (what exactly does “go to the supermarket/and don’t skylark it” mean, anyway?), but they’re endlessly interesting and often hilarious. Many deal with expelling or confronting demons and evil spirits, a theme that culminates with the standout “Fight to the Finish,” a musical exorcism filled with nonstop aural surprises and an incessant chant of “get in the arena!” Elsewhere he name checks George W. Bush, Marcus Garvey, and the Pope, refers to himself as a psychiatrist, The Cocky Man, and Dr. Tree, and boasts “Eminent, I’m the firmament/Eminent, I’m permanent.” A dizzying variety of sounds emerge from these 16 tracks, three of which are bonus re-mixes, one by Dave Sitek of TV On the Radio and two by DJ Spooky. Notably, Perry did not produce the album, despite being one of music’s premiere studio wizards; those duties were left to DJ Startrek and Pascal Brunkow of the White Belly Rats (it could be imagined, however, that Perry still had a major influence on the album’s overall sound). There’s a ton of Perry material available, but this is one of the more satisfying and consistent releases of recent years.
Fresh from his Grammy win for Best Reggae Album, Lee “Scratch” Perry has granted the wish of many and returned with yet another amazing release! Panic in Babylon is the new full-length epic, with a unique catchiness and hypnotizing rhythm only Perry’s hands could bring to life. Relax and soak in the album’s sharply enriching tones as the renowned “Father of Dub” takes you for a psychotropic journey throughout life’s highs and lows. Each tune’s signature reggae echo bounces giddily off the inner walls of your head, sending thick, magnetic currents throughout your legs and hips. Lee “Scratch” Perry, being the sly producer he is, adds a distinctly untried edge to Panic in Babylon.The album’s backing musicians have shared stories of Perry’s constant approach to newfangled ideas – suggestions that seem musically impossible but, when executed, end up making absolute sense. Originally released in Switzerland in 2005, Panic in Babylon is set to hit U.S. shores in August 2006.The Narnack version features a bonus disc of new collaborations with Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio, and DJ Spooky! “Lee Perry is a towering figure in reggae – a producer, mixologist, and songwriter who, along with King Tubby, helped shape the sound of dub and made reggae music such a powerful part of the pop music world.” – All Music Guide “A certifiable genius.” – BBC
Discover Panic in Babylon by Lee "Scratch" Perry, White Belly Rats released in 2004. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.