M.O.A.B. review - Eclipsed magazine
The South African Robbi Robb is, in many regards, one of the most unusual and colourful figures in the rock business. The higly interesting and sometimes tragic life story of this exceptional musician could easily fill a complete Eclipsed magazine. But one has to deal with it (the life story) because Robb's inspiration from his very early childhood days includes poverty, violence, racism, mythology, literature, art and music.
The Tribe ep, "Power", got released back in South Africa, but in 1986 Robb finally emigrated to the USA, where he pushed the politically motivated band with full power. "M.O.A.B." is Robb's fifth studio album. It's the first album in 6 years and, while the predecessor "Enchanted Entrance" could not convince with its sound, "M.O.A.B." rocks without end. It is on level with the huge discography moments like "Tribe After Tribe", "Love Under Will" and "Pearls Before Swine".
The music on "M.O.A.B." is as manifold as Robbs influences. Next to the central tribal rockers, "Holy City Warrior", "Shock & Awe", "Supreme One" and "Truth And Reconciliation", there are also the hypnotic spheric interludes and mystical spoken words parts that add much draft, credibility and value to the album. It is especially here that forms of African, Arabic and Indian folk come to light.
Robb himself swings back and forth between punk attitude in pure form and almost magic shaman singing. The final song, "World Drum" with its concept and realization could easily be found on a Peter Gabriel album. It is not possible to near to "M.O.A.B" with words alone. One has to feel Tribe After Tribe, one has to live Tribe After Tribe - otherwise Robb would have thrown pearls before swine.
2nd opinion
The dangerous undertone in the rumbling, stamping and drumming of the new Tribe After Tribe album reminds one of the Warrior Soul front man Kory Clarke and his solo album "Opium Hotel". On both albums you feel hopelessly unwell - and enjoy this from the first to last second.
3rd opinion
Tribe After Tribe work around risky themes, such as banishment of the masses and genocide, in a phenomenal way - from the israelites in the old testament to Saddam Hussein. The music ranges from desperate independent, to aggressive rock, to soft ambient, to African Arabien folk.
9/10 points (album of the month)
