H.R. Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
Listening to this album, it's easy to conclude that HR is one of the most naturally talented reggae and pop singers out there -- and also that he isn't particularly discriminating about his material or arrangements. Singin' in the Heart has two excellent songs that are really well performed: the sunny title cut and the magnificent, brooding "Don't Trust No (Shadows After Dark)." It's significant that fellow Bad Brains alumnus Earl Hudson joins in on the latter, since it's the only song on the album that has an interesting backbeat and a challenging guitar line. Elsewhere the arrangements are simple and unexciting, which is a shame because even the mediocre tunes are rendered listenable by HR's silky vocalizing. HR could sing the phone directory and have it sound good, but on this album the great cuts set such a high standard that the others sound pale by comparison. ~ Richard Foss, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
As lead singer of the mold-breaking Washington, D.C., reggae/punk quartet Bad Brains, H.R. (born Paul Hudson) presided over some of the most tightly constructed, structurally complex, and ferociously intense rock & roll ever made. As a solo artist, his output has been more mystical, more explicitly reggae-based, and, frankly, pretty uneven -- brilliant moments on Human Rights gave way to incoherent self-indulgence on some of his later solo work and collaborations. Out of Bounds was originally recorded around 1990, but wasn't commercially released until about ten years later. It finds H.R. in dub mode -- the throat-shredding falsetto he employed with Bad Brains is gone, replaced by a crooning baritone, and his backing band lays down track after track of deep, slow one-drop grooves in an ambience dripping with reverb and throbbing with echo. Sometimes it sounds as if H.R. is making it up as he goes along ("Look What Love Has Done" and "Enjoy tha Book" sound particularly extemporaneous), but the combination of his winning voice and the minimalist muscularity of his band make it all worthwhile. A must for fans. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Those who want nothing more than Rasta-metal screech coming from the throat of Bad Brains should pass on this solo disc. Those who skanked to the reggaefied groove of H.R.'s (aka Joseph 1, Paul Hudson) so-so earlier discs on Olive Tree should like this tons...Rather than go for a standard roots/dancehall style, the accent is on a harder, Parliament-style proto-gogo with touches of soul and jazz. Granted, it lacks the insane intensity of The Brains' work, but it succeeds on subtler levels. Lyrically, there are no surprises -- plenty of peace and love vibes and rote Jah worship, but the band (Brains' Earl Hudson, drums; Kenny Dread, bass; David Byers, guitar; and Oscar Brown, Jr., keys) is tight without being tightassed, and give more than adequate support to H.R.'s croon-to-whine vocals... ~ John Dougan, Option s2_88, All Music Guide
