7th Son shares their Ontology
3 Sep 2009
7th Son, for me, has always been a live band, which is the only way I have experienced them in the past. So it took me a little while to warm to the band's second album, Ontology. Call me superficial, but without all the cute interactions of the six members and their often toplessness in live shows, the music on its own seemed to be lacking a certain something.
But after a couple of spins while driving I found myself enjoying Ontology more and more. Tracks “The One” and “Take a Walk”, previously heard at live gigs, were great to hear recorded and once I got more familiar with the newer tracks I was ska-ing it up big time. And it is to their credit that, after listening numerous times, I am only now starting to get a little tired of them.
Ontology, as can be expected from one of Cape Town's most loved ska bands, combines some full-bodied reggae-ska with an edge of rock - or some edgy rock with a generous helping of ska, depending on which track you are listening to - and despite some dark and moody lyrics it's pretty upbeat and has that hum-along foot-tapping quality.
“In theory, an ontology is a 'formal, explicit specification of a shared conceptualisation'. [1] An ontology provides a shared vocabulary … ” Wikipedia. And seen in this regard Ontology seems like a very apt name for the album and band in general. For me, 7th Son has always been a combination of some great and different musical elements and very accomplished musicians who all come together to create their own unique “vocabulary”.
Ontology chronicles three years of musical development since their debut album and serves it all up in an 11-track, pretty black, white and red package. And, as all good albums should do, inspires the listener to go to see the band live and experience the full rude ska awesomeness that is 7th Son.
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