Rehab - 'Graffiti the World' Review

Rehab are a rap-rock collective from Georgia whose mixture of laidback Southern charm, lowlife tales, hip-hop bravado and guitar riffs recalls Kid Rock backed by 311. Graffiti the World, their first album for Universal Republic, is actually a re-release of their independent 2005 record of the same name with extra tracks tacked on. Rap-rock has gone through a difficult creative period of late, and Graffiti the World doesn’t add much new to the mix, but the album succeeds at reinvigorating the genre’s most exciting elements, making the familiar sound very fresh.

Led by singer/rapper Danny Boone, Rehab cover much thematic and sonic terrain on Graffiti the World. “Walk Away” is a sun-kissed acoustic ballad that tells of an adulterous couple, “1980” combines pop and hip-hop for a shout-out to a childhood crush, “Last Tattoo” is a straight-ahead rock song (with some scratching by DJ Chris Crisis) about a breakup, while “Lawn Chair High” celebrates taking it easy and getting stoned over a rap beat. The strongest rap-rock acts managed to make their albums sound like a fun spin of the radio dial, picking the best pieces of hits from across the musical formats, and Rehab continue this tradition. Though it’s probably more accurate to describe Graffiti the World as a rock album seasoned with hip-hop ingredients, Rehab continually rearrange the combinations so that the record never stays with one sound for long.

As a lyricist, Boone is at his best evoking the observations of regular schlubs. He brings to mind Kid Rock’s self-deprecating white-trash persona when he sings honestly about his characters’ screw-ups, like the jailbird of “Bartender Song” or the suicide stumbled upon in “Red Water.” Boone doesn’t have what you’d call a great vocal range, but it works to his advantage, giving him a relatable everyman quality. Consequently, when he tries for social commentary on the title track, it falls flat. Additionally, though it’s hard to know if he’s joking or singing in the voice of a character, occasionally his unenlightened views of women are cringe-worthy. Just because he represents for normal guys doesn’t mean he has to play down to their worst tendencies.

Even when Graffiti the World’s lyrics are juvenile, the music remains lively, guitar hooks transforming nearly ever song into an extremely accessible sing-along number. Southern rock and hip-hop are sometimes stereotyped has having a familial, back-porch vibe, but Rehab certainly fit that model of relaxed musicianship, even on adrenaline-rich rap-rock songs like “Bump.” At heart, this is good-time music to enjoy in between the occasional bong hit or cold beer while surviving the daily grind. “Skipping church the first time I heard ‘Planet Rock’ come out the boom box/That may be the day God saved my soul,” Boone recalls fondly in “This Town,” an ode to his roots and his discovery of hip-hop. Rehab aren’t trying to save any souls, but like Boone’s idol Afrika Bambaataa, he is trying to make the day a little bit brighter.

Best Tracks:

“Bartender Song”
“Bottles & Cans”
“This Town”

Release date – July 15, 2008