Band Review :: Dispatch

Band Review :: Dispatch
Posted :: May 3, 2004 by Impact

Artist :: Dispatch
Genre :: Reggae/Funk/Acoustic Rock
Locale of origin :: United States
Necessary Albums :: Who are we living for, Bang, Bang

Dispatch is an acoustic rock band that incorporates Reggae and Funk beats, lots of bongos, and occasionally a classical guitar. The three members seem to be very interchangeable on their instruments, but for the most part, Brad Corrigan plays percussion, Pete Heimbold base, and Chad Urmston guitar. All three of them contribute to the heavily layered vocals.

While not thinking highly of their first album, Silent Steeples (though it does contain the song “Hey, Hey), I am quite fond of their second two studio albums, Bang Bang and Who are we living for, released respectively. Their music is very happy. It is also very pop-like in that it is catchy and simple (simple does NOT imply that it is not extremely creative or unoriginal). I’ve always had a lot of respect for bands that make loveable music with simple elements, for example: The Beatles.

Some of their songs are touchy-feely, like something you’d listen to with your girlfriend (or boyfriend). “Bang Bang,” “Out Loud,” and “Carry You,” are in that spirit. But even more emotional than the aforementioned are Dispatch’s dramatic tales of war and crime, the most notable being “The General,” and “Open Up.” Dan and I listened almost exclusively to those two songs when we went to Florida on spring break last year.

Dispatch are Christians and when you realize this, it is easy to see their beliefs taking form in their lyrics. “Go now you are forgiven,” ("The General") and “Why do you smile when the rope’s around your neck?...I’ll tell you boy, when I get back…,” ("Open Up"). Their faith certainly adds edge to their music, but is by no means in your face evangelism, or even obvious. Anyone can listen to their music without taking offense, but it is interesting to know where some of their passion comes from.

Anyway, their final release, a live album called “Gut the van,” shows dispatch in their true form. Beneath anything they play, at heart Dispatch is a jam band. Most of the songs end with some funked up jam or guitar solo or percussion break. It adds flavor to their already tasteful music.

One problem I’ve found with Dispatch - the songs that I like, I really, really like, but I don’t find all their material terribly interesting. Some people do enjoy everything Dispatch has ever recorded, but I only find half, at most, of their tunes to be worth listening to.

On an even more dismal note, it has come to my attention that Dispatch has broken up and each member has accomplished his own solo work. This event traumatized a considerable amount of people, and with Dispatch at the top of my list of bands to see live, left me very disappointed as well. Once you get into them you will know the pain. I definitely recommend this band to everyone though, and it is in my opinion that no person should go through life without a live version of “Open Up” performed in Australia.

Dispatch's official website can be viewed at www.dispatchmusic.com.