After the slightly disappointing 'Born In Babylon' (successor 'Strength To Survive' hasn't reached us as yet, but will be re-released in Europe in the autumn) SOJA returns with this 'Mentality' EP. The six tracks (actually four songs and two remixes) sound strikingly poppy; 'She Still Loves Me' and 'Not Done Yet' seem tailor-made for MTV and for once we don't even mean that in a negative way. 'Everything Changes' is a lyrical sledgehammer and the song is allotted a deserved two remixes on the EP. Bulls-eye!
Those missing the rougher guitar work on the recent SOJA releases could check out Top Shelf, a band from Ukiah, California. Top Shelf draws from the same source as SOJA, but sounding slightly more rocky and leaning more on electronics and the six tracks on their 'There's A Place' EP offer an ideal introduction. If terms like "dub metal" or "reggae rock" aren't patented yet, yours truly would like to take an option.