This past Thursday, February 17 was a great day for me here at the beach. Warm weather, fun evening surf sesh under a rising full moon with chest-high waves, and, most notably, IRATION played a killer show at Levelz Night Club in Melbourne!
I brought two of my favorite friends and fellow surfers Sheena and Jessica to the show, which was another great event by Deuterman Productions. Sadly, we had a run-in with the police on our way to Levelz (busted headlight) and missed the first two bands. However, we made it just in time to see Law Records national recording artist Ballyhoo! take the stage. They had a powerful pop-punk feel with a reggae influence, but definitely a sound all of their own. A talented 4-piece band consisting of guitar, bass, drums, keyboard & turntables with great, energetic stage presence. I really liked the end of their set, during which they played some heavier songs, culminating with their hit song “Cheers.” I definitely dug their high-energy performance despite the fact that I am getting old apparently--I forgot that people still mosh at shows and narrowly missed grave injury because I almost walked straight into the pit unaware while trying to snap pics of the band!
DJ Jimmy South played in between band sets--mostly roots reggae and some rock-reggae like Pepper. He definitely kept the crowd dancing between bands and the enjoyment level high. The nice thing about Levelz is that it is very spacious, and although the locals certainly showed up en masse for this show, there was still plenty of room on the dance floor to move about comfortably. It’s nice not to be packed in like sardines at a big show.
Show headliners IRATION, also of Law Records, took the stage next. With the stage lights turned down low, they opened with a dramatic extended instrumental prelude to the song “Time Bomb.” The first thing I noticed about Iration was how smooth, soulful and melodic the vocals of Micah Pueschel (lead vocals/guitar) and Kai Rediske (vocals/percussion) were. There’s a distinct reggae influence to their music like in the way they use rhythm guitar, along with elements of rock and pop. One of my favorite elements of this band is the keyboard/synthesizer sound (Cayson Peterson) which, in some songs such as the hit song “Electricity, is reminiscent of 80s pop (made me think of The Cars).
Most of the songs Iration played had a very mellow and beautiful vibe; they’ve managed to capture the positivity and warmth of the Aloha spirit from their native Hawaii in their music. Several sugary sweet reggae-sounding love tunes seemed to be crowd favorites, such as “I’m With You,” “Falling,” and the before-mentioned “Electricity,” which had a ton of people in the audience singing along. I liked “Cookie Jar,” which was a little more up-tempo and had a killer heavy bassline and vocals. There were also songs that would transition to some pretty heavy guitar solos/interludes… and then go back to the lighter melodic reggae sound. All the while, real smooth vocals and amazing keys. Iration can manage this blend of styles and sounds because they are backed by serious musical talent and great songwriting capability.
Like Ballyhoo, Iration has the whole stage presence thing nailed. They were clearly feelin’ it on stage with their eyes closed/hands in the air/dancing and moving around stage continuously, and truly gave us an inspiring, digable performance.
The crowd never stopped moving to the music… everyone was groovin’ steady the whole night long. The vibe was mellow and happy with only a few aggros and bar fights. There were some intensely inebriated fans who entertained us with creative dance moves out on the floor. I appreciated the sound (heavy and loud) and lights, which were both very well-done. It was cool to travel outside of my normal stomping grounds of Cocoa Beach and get amongst the Melbourne crew, and yet still run into some familiar faces from CB at the show. I liked that it was a low-key positive event and not so much the vibe of a rager-type party. Thanks again to Deuterman Productions, the bands, and my friends Jessica, Sheena, Becca, and Wolfgang for making it yet another wonderful night out in the scene!
Iration – Fresh Grounds
Review by Michael Cotton
EPs are difficult for fans to embrace, they are obviously not quite an album and you can often be left wanting more or perhaps wondering if the tracks thrown together are simply songs which didn’t quite make the cut for a full album.
With Iration this has never been the case, you get the sense they see value in EPs and view them as a way to connect with fans and also to experiment slightly with their sound.
Fresh Grounds, the new EP by Iration is the band’s third such offering, and it opens with the track Can’t Wait.
You are immediately hit with a heavier sound than we are used to hearing from Iration, the guitar is at the fore throughout the track but, as with many Iration songs, it’s the vocals which make this track work. The smoothness of Micah’s voice is what makes Iration stand out from the crowded reggae-rock scene.
All this Time starts in a similar fashion to Can’t Wait – it roars through the opening 30 seconds or so before mellowing out.
Summer Nights is the type of song which we have come to expect from Iration, a song which retains the pop sensibilities of the group. A tune which whisks you away to a faraway beach where a group of friends are just chilling as the sun goes down, the bonfire is lit and the beers are being passed around.
Parts of Fresh Grounds hint at a slightly heavier, rougher approach from Iration but the standout tracks are the ones which retain the chill pop-reggae sound.
Overall, the Hawaii boys, now residing in Santa Barbra, continue to impress on their musical journey with another admirable release.
By Michael Cotton
Click here to purchase the album
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Iration – Fresh Grounds EP
1.) Can’t Wait
2.) Work It Out
3.) All This Time
4.) No Letter
5.) Summer Nights
The Pier Album Rating:
Release Date: Feb 1st, 2011
Record Label: Law/3 Prong Records
Artist Background:
It took one EP and one full length album for the Hawaii-natives Iration to hit the top of the reggae charts. With the debut of their second EP Sample This in October 2008, Iration had hit as high as the #3 top-selling reggae album on iTunes. It didn’t take long to gain international attention with hits such as Falling and Wait & See. Also in 2008, they embarked on their first nationwide tour supporting fellow Hawaiians, Pepper. Iration’s second full-length album Time Bomb, released in March of 2010, currently holds the fifteenth top-selling album on iTunes. Now headlining tours across the United States, fans have anxiously waited for their next project: Fresh Grounds EP, which was released on February 1, 2011.
Album Review:
In the midst of the dreaded cold season, Iration’s five-song EP is reminiscent of the contrary. It’s warm sounds come together to create a mood like summer. Fresh Grounds EP is yet another great reggae release dropped by the Hawaiian natives. It was only two and a half years ago that Iration embarked on their first nationwide tour as a supporting act. Today, you can catch Iration performing nationwide tours as the headliners. The best part? They have continued to remain true to their fans by producing those same mellow vibes after gaining plenty of international recognition.
Fresh Grounds EP proves Iration’s talent to me, as if they hadn’t already with the release of Time Bomb in 2010. My favorite part of this release is the vocal variety. Kai Rediske and Micah Pueschel are two incredibly gifted vocalists. In Fresh Grounds they are the perfect complements to each other. There is not a single monotone moment for the duo. Kai shows off his vocal range the best in Work it Out, singing I need to let you know, Love can bloom in snow – only one of the many seasonal themes referenced throughout the EP. Doubling as the lead guitarist, Micah also sings about lost love in the acoustic track No Letter. He states I knew that no one did you better, wondering why it all had to end.
Instrumentally, Fresh Grounds is nothing less than stellar. Adam Taylor provides those deep bass lines that all reggae fans adore. If you listen to this on a decent system, you will realize his importance in leading some of the songs along and filling in the empty spots left by the electric guitar. In All This Time, Adam leads on the verses while the electric guitar plays some arpeggios and Cayson Peterson’s keys provide that lively offbeat rhythm. Finally, the synthesizer in the background ties it all together.
This EP by Iration is a must-have. Fresh Grounds, after its first week of being released, already climbed to #4 album on ITunes’s reggae charts! They kill it with this release, and it is only a handful of dollars. It’s a must a have!
Written & Reviewed by: Matt Emodi
[Editors Note: All reviews are reflective of the album in it's entirety, from start to finish. These reviews are the honest opinion of each writer/reviewer, expressing their feedback as a genuine fan of the music. Each star rating reflects their review of the album, not the band. Music is subjective. Regardless of the review or star rating, we encourage you to listen to the music yourself & form your own opinion. Spread the awareness of all music in its art & contribution]
 With a new EP that is sure to bring pleasure to the ears, Iration has another great group of songs under their belts. The 5 song EP titled, Fresh Grounds, stays true to their mastered soft- rock reggae style, but also adds a touch of ska rhythm to the first track “Can’t Wait.”
This song is brutally catchy, and on the verge of being stuck in my head, even while I sleep! (Did Justin Bieber’s songwriters get on this EP?)
Probably the most interesting song as far as synth’s go, is “All This Time.” This track comes on strong with a heavy guitar lick, (with heavy distortion of course) and somehow morphs into an airy synth tune, worthy of a spot on an Owl City album. The transitions are flawless and connect the distorted guitar with the delicate synth in a delightful way. It was a nice surprise, and it doesn’t throw off the song, in fact, it makes the song.
Acoustic guitar picking leads the listener into a story of what everyone dreads, getting dumped. But this song isn’t just about getting dumped, but about getting dumped without any notice. “No Letter,” is the title and is also what the singer is lacking. Deep confusion plays as the theme for the song. It asks the question so many have in the past, “Why does someone leave when you’ve treated them so well?” The search for that answer might be out of our reach, but identifying with this song definitely isn’t.
Now, there are two more songs that are definitely worth listening to, but I’ll leave that up to you. Go and check out the new EP, it’s worth the couple bucks, and more. Here’s why:
This EP has picked apart the best pieces you would find in a full-length album, without condensing any talent. The heartfelt acoustic song, upbeat catchy and inspirational tune, the heavier rock tracks are in a perfect marriage in the Fresh Grounds EP. The boys if Iration did a spectacular job at fitting all those different moods in a simple melody of tracks. If you don’t believe me, listen for yourself, it just might have you singing “Can’t Wait,” before you’re full awake.
Now, what about a full-length album guys? Don’t leave the fans hangin’!
Yours truly,
Melissa
 Iration - Fresh Grounds EP - 2011(Reggae/Rock/Pop) Who else but the guys from Iration could ease you into your seat and take you away from this miserable winter to the sunny beaches of Hawaii. The Fresh Grounds EP is their first release after their infectious album Time Bomb that was a top 10 album on Hillydilly.com for 2010. Their sound has taken off since the Sample This EP and still continues the same winning formula for another EP full of feel good reggae music. Iration are self proclaimed "nice guys" but trust me these dudes ain't finishing last in anything. Grab this EP from the link above and stream my favorite songs from the EP below
You know how every now and then you buy an album and it just works for your frame of mind at the time? Well…THIS album was that way for me. A friend recommended this band to me (thanks Suzanne!) and if I were to try to describe it, I would have to call it simply pop reggae. In the same vein as Pepper (who they opened for during a previous tour) or any number of California beach bands, Iration hasn’t been around long, but they’ve been making some waves in the reggae community…and rightfully so.
With all of it’s members hailing from Hawaii, Iration spent most of its early days performing in southern California. After releasing a well-received EP in 2006, they hit the road and created a following for themselves. Then in 2007, they released “No Time For Rest” and went on a tour with Pepper (one of MY favorite bands of the genre). Earlier this year, they released “Time Bomb” and I gotta tell you…it’s pretty much a perfect pop album.
First off…there’s not a truly bad track on it. From the outstanding opening title track to the last track on the album appropriately titled “The End”, “Time Bomb” is as complete an album as you’ll ever find. It’s a perfectly blended pop concoction that goes easy with a cold beer on a warm summer night or aboard a crowded plane. It’s relaxing and easy to listen to and it came along at an extremely busy time in my life and it has been perfect for plane flights, long drives or just hanging in my hotel room.
If you are looking for a great summertime album that is chock full of great pop songs, check out Iration’s “Time Bomb.” It’s excellent and right now…it’s high on my “Favorite Albums of 2010″ list!
The modern reggae-rock sound continues to evolve and improve. As of now it can almost stand alone as a sub-genre of reggae music. Bands like Rebelution, SOJA, JBB, and Groundation, just to name a few, have cemented their respective places in the reggae-rock world. Others, like Hawaii’s Iration are starting to make their mark. Their second full-length album ‘Time Bomb’ proves that they at least deserve a place at the table. ‘Time Bomb’ is full of catchy hooks, good vibes, and quality musicianship.
Read more at http://www.thereggaereview.com/2010/05/iration-time-bomb-review-law-records.html
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