John Reuben - Sex, Drugs & Self-Control

Producer: John Reuben & Seth Earnest
Record Label: Gotee Records
Website:  http://www.johnreuben.com

John Reuben made a healthy career as being the token white-rapper in Christian music.  He made his debut in 2000 with Are We There Yet? - a fun, pop/hip hop release that found Reuben poking fun of himself and society as a whole with sarcastic and humorous writing.  Since that release, Reuben has been keeping things fresh and interesting by trying on different hats with each release - sometimes focusing on the more serious side of things or growing musically.  With 2007’s Word of Mouth - Reuben almost totally abandoned his hip hop sound and embraced a more earthy, indie rock sound.  Sex, Drugs & Self-Control finds Reuben embracing both sides - mixing his hip hop background to the extremely popular indie-rock sound of his last record.  Reuben is again channeling the likes of Beck or the Dust Brothers with this release.  The album kicks off with the infectious “Jamboree” that features a jazz horn sample and grooving bass line.  “Radio Makes You Lonely” finds Reuben hitting up the dance/rock style - similar to artists like Family Force 5 or the Black Eyed Peas.  “Burn It Down” is another catchy pop number - featuring a catchy melodic hook that finds Reuben doing much of the vocal work this time around.  “Paranoid Schizophrenic Apocalyptic Whisper Kitten” continues down the path of unique drum patterns and samples that showcase even more experimental rock sounds.  “Town Folk” is a folky/pop song with dance elements that has been a favorite of fans for a while.  There are also moments of hip hop bliss as well - especially on cuts like “In the Air,” “Everett,” and “No Be Nah.” Even though they find Reuben tackling hip hop - he continues to pair it with alt-rock and it works especially well for the popular artist.  “Wooden Whistle Man” is the album highlight with its odd instrumental pairing and catchy melody.  As the title suggests, this album is about maintaining your faith through daily struggles - and Reuben pretty much calls himself out in many instances (“In the Air,” “Confident,” and “So Sexy For All the Right Reasons” are good examples).  Overall, Sex, Drugs & Self-Control is another strong release from one of Christian music’s most respected artists.

Track listing:

1.  Jamboree
2.  Radio Makes You Lonely
3.  Burn It Down
4.  In the Air
5.  Paranoid Schizophrenic Apocalypse Whisper Kitten
6.  Town Folk
7.  Confident
8.  Everett
9.  No Be Nah
10.  So Sexy For All the Right Reasons
11.  Wooden Whistle Man
12.  Joyful Noise
13.  20 Something*
14.  Come On Jamboree When Radio Makes You Lonely*
*digital exclusives