Wonders of the World
On their follow-up to 1999'sRight Back, the Long Beach Dub Allstars continue stirring their musical melting pot.Wonders of the Worldcombines heavy dub, shimmery pop, bouncy ska, and aggro alt-rock into a disc that roller-coasters between spaced out ("Wonders Dub II" and "Grass Cloud") and punked out ("No Way"). The ex-Sublimemembers also pulled in some talent from the hip-hop world, getting will.i.am fromBlack Eyed Peason "Sunny Hours" and Chali2na fromJurassic 5on "Life Goes On." Even with all the special appearances and genre-crossing, though, the Allstars don't crack the surface, covering the same ground that bands likeSugar Rayand311are already treading. While the band does flow seamlessly between rock and reggae,Wonders of the Worldfeels coated in a tepid, radio-friendly gloss that, despite a few bright spots, dulls by the end of the disc.--Jennifer Maerz