GUT REACTION:

INFLUENCES: Sugar Ray, Sublime, Cake, Red Hot Chili Peppers, PHISH, and any group from the golden-age of hip-hop (roughly defined as the years between 1986-92) - I'm going to name two that I think should be mentioned: A Tribe Called Quest and Digable Planets (forgive me for forsaking the great many others of this genre).

OVERALL: 5/5

HIGH: Poppy fresh sound. This release has astounding playability and viscosity.

LOW: Only 7 tracks…I want more! I guess I'll have to wait 'till they release the next three tracks on the re-release of the album expected sometime soon.

MUSICALITY: Very well done. Combining the traditional parts (vocal, drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards) with turntables, sampling, and rap vocal style.

LYRICALITY: Lighthearted and fun. Exactly what it needs to be.

FAVORITE TRACK: #4 - Jungle Warrior

WOULD MAKE A GREAT OPENING ACT FOR: Anyone I listed as the influences above.

REVIEW: Hey all, this release his hot. I suggest getting off your duffs and checking out their site or visiting them live at their adopted home base of The West End Saloon in Media, PA. Ya gotta get a copy of 'SOUPA' for the collection.

The Tappas' style is a fusion of all that is good in music. Showing great innovation and ability to get the house bumpin' with phat beats at one moment, then launching into the stratosphere with melodic jams, and returning back again without missing a trick. I was impressed with the radio-friendly playability and freshness this group offers. Great party music. But really just great music for anybody, anytime. Dare I say? "Uplifting?"

The lyrics are intelligent and well thought out. The music itself is thick, thorough, and satisfying to the last drop. Look for these guys to break out bigtime.

WOULD I BUY THIS? Yes. Should you? Yes. (you know me, I'm a dictator like that)

~Mike Brennan

Special thanks to Anthony of Origivation for supplying us with the article.