Originally formed by
Sublime members
Eric Wilson and
Bud Gaugh, along with singer/songwriter
Rome Ramirez,
Sublime with Rome have lost
Gaugh, who has been replaced by
Vandals,
Devo, and even
Guns N' Roses drummer
Josh Freese. So why not Sublime with Rome & Josh? Actually, reviving
the Long Beach All-Stars name from
Wilson's post-
Sublime career would be a better idea, as the free-flowing membership is more like a "project" than a band. All that said, there's certainly a band "feel" on this second
Sublime with Rome effort.
Sirens is a step up from their debut, surprising returning fans by opening with a heavily produced,
Dirty Heads feature that's quite good before sliding into the young and organic California rock-reggae that defined their mothership act. "Wherever You Go" skillfully flirts with pop-punk, "House Party" is smooth, jam-band chillin' with no worries, and then a ripping version of
Fishbone's classic "Skankin'" brings it all home with a song from one of the original act's influences.
Freese is an excellent edition, a musician's musician who pushes
Wilson back into deep bass grooves, while
Ramirez's voice is still big, powerful, and persuasive. Problem is, that band name is more arguable than ever, and yet
Sirens proves that some kind of
Wilson and
Ramirez project would benefit the stoned-and-sandals set, so recommend this one to every
Rebelution,
Pepper, or
Slightly Stoopid fan you see. ~ David Jeffries
