Detroit, Michigan has another great ska band – or, as they described themselves, rock steady and reggae mixed with Detroit soul – and that feels accurate enough for me to try and describe where they fall under the ska umbrella.
“Time To Fight” is exactly what it sounds like: A call to action, a song for revolution. It’s set to a simple and seemingly persistent reggae beat, soft and subtle, but slowly building in pace and tension at the end. The song has a nice and perhaps unintentional self-awareness. A key lyric in the song points out: “On our own we have no power, together we will thrive”.
Instrumentally, the song begins with strings repeating a rhythm that carries through the song. It sets the pace, and is the underlying theme, but on its own it has no power. Vocals come in and add a little beauty. A soft drum rhythm plays, focused in between beats, adding texture as the verse progresses. The guitar comes in to give it more soul. But the real joy is when the keys come in, especially at the end. It’s not until everyone is playing together that the pace picks up and the song feels completely rich.
It wouldn’t have worked without all five pieces coming in separately, each adding their own flavor and texture. We can’t expect everyone to be ready at the start, and we all have to use the framework set in place by those before us rather than trying to recreate the wheel from scratch. Join the rhythm and add our own texture: “If we work as one, we will rise. We will resist and turn the tide”
The end of the song features an accelerating pace, marching forward with intent. Some solid keyboards drive the song forward, and a solid, abrupt ending comes with the lyrics “Speaking for all that is good and right, Now is the time to fight.”
Take a listen to “Time To Fight” below:
Written by Gimp Leg
