Trapped Animal

Exactly thirty years after the Slits helped ignite Britain’s punk scene with their classic debut, Cut, a recently reformed version of the band (this line-up featuring original vocalist Ari Up and bassist Tessa Politt) emerges with a third album. Veteran reggae producer Dennis Bovell is again at the helm, and where Cut had a distinct, reggae-infused punk vibe and second album Return of the Giant Slits (1981) was more about dubby atmospherics, Trapped Animal offers equal doses of both. Ari Up can still twitter, trill, slice and bellow with her remarkable voice, and the lyrical sting on topical issues like materialism and feminism is still palpable. Those looking for skanky riddims will swoon to the smooth rocksteady of “Cry Baby” and “Partner From Hell,” along with the ska-flavored “Peer Pressure,” while those looking for another “Typical Girls” will crank up tracks like  “Reject,” “Trapped Animal,” or “Pay Rent,” tunes as strong as any from their heyday. Don’t miss the fun with “Reggae Gypsy” and its dubby cousin, or the (intentionally?) amusing advice for women raising boys in “Ask Ma.”