Sublime...with Rome?

If I were to tell you that Nirvana was going to find a new singer after one of the most iconic rock & alternative vocalists had died, and make a new album and start touring again.  You'd probably say I was crazy or that'd never work.  Well Sublime has done just that.  After Brad Nowell's death, the remaining members of the band Eric Wilson (bass) and Bud Gaugh (drums) retired the bands name for about 13 years and created another group entitled "the Long Beach Dub All Stars," before coming back to the group in 2009.  At this time the band had reached out and found a new lead singer with the name of Rome Ramirez, naming the band Sublime with Rome.  

Although not nearly as enthusiastic or crazy as Brad he still stays true to the sound that made Sublime a recognizable name, yet he has a laid back, "beach bum" style that gives the group a new feel as well.  

Still lookin' pretty chill if you ask me

The first and only album released ( so far) is entitled Yours Truly.  Although the album isn't quite up to par with the other Sublime albums in their "discography," I think it's still pretty good. The album covers many styles including the famous sublime reggae-pop and ska to even "So-Cal punk," infused with rock.  An example of their new found punk sound is the first track on the CD: "Panic."  I think it's a pretty good way to start the album with a great melody and a kickin' guitar solo about half way through.

Another song off the CD that I really enjoyed is called "Can You Feel It" (feat. Wiz Khalifa).  Definitely a combination that I had never previously thought about...but it works.  The song starts with a really sexy almost Latin style guitar riff leading into the reggae sound we all know and love.  

In about the middle of the album, there's a song called "Take It Or Leave It."  It's honestly like nothing I've ever heard from this band.  The song maintains the reggae feel yet the vocals and lyrics make me feel like I'm listening to a pop song.  In this case, it is not necessarily a bad thing , just very very different.  Very gutsy of them, especially because it isn't like much of anything Sublime has ever put out, and in this case, I think it worked pretty well and has really started to grow on me.  (not gonna lie, the music video is a bit...odd...)

At times I feel Rome is trying a little too hard to sound like Brad but others he tries just enough to really remind me of the old Sublime and to appreciate the new one.  Hopefully this won't be the only album they record because I am very curious as to where this band goes, and hopee they do well.
-Brooks Gonzales