Earthsuit "Kaleidoscope Superior"

Title: Kaleidoscope Superior
Category: Alternative/Hybrid Pop
Artist/Group: Earthsuit
Rating: 4 / 5
This is one of those rare CDs that dares you to categorize it. Rock? Innovative. Jazz? Hybrid. Rap? It can't be done.

Adam LaClave and keyboardist Paul Meany began honing and experimenting on their particular style of music as nightly performers in a New Orleans Bourbon Street coffee house. Eventually, guitarist Dave Rumsey and Bass player Roy Mitchell joined the lineup, as did drummer David Hutchison.

Earthsuit's music is a jumbolia of sound: strong rock undertones, a little reggae flavor, dabs of jazz progressions, and patches of rap, as well as generous portions of sampling and programming. The result is an unconventional yet powerful CD that speaks to this generation. Here is a sampling of their eclectic sound.

"One Time" starts the CD off in force. Part electronic reggae, part classic Beastie Boys, the song cries out to God the Father to "come fill us" so that we, "the people of the rock", can "rock one time". That's what I'm talking about.

"Whitehorse" has dreamscape lyrics riding some smooth jazzy vibrations. It describes our being with Christ, our longing to be with Him. It's a hope: not wishful thinking, but a certainty. It's also a vision: of Christ coming back to claim His bride.

"Against the Grain" and "Schizophreniac" are the hyperperactive lyrics and thundering guitar lick anthems: how we struggle to to live out what we know to be true, and how we must fight to live it out.

"Said the Sun to the Shine" has the most odd introduction and bridge, but the most conventional chorus. The message: God calling His children, His "shine", to be the light of the world by being His reflection to this world.

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