Dub Trio

Bored with genres? Then New Heavy's your album. Brooklyn three-piece Dub Trio contrasts quick, tight, guitar-driven metal with big, open patches of serene reggae beats and keyboards and very few vocals. With Stu Brooks on bass, keyboards and dubs alongside D.P. Holmes on guitar, keyboards and dubs and Joe Tomino on drums, keyboards and (you guessed it) dubs, you might get an idea of what these guys can do live — namely, shred a killer headbanging riff and cut it with skankalicious resting points. Why does this work at all? Because all three are professional session musicians with the skills to back such a bold concoction. Need more proof? Mike Patton provides vocals on "Not Alone," and Holmes appears on work by Mos Def and Common. The 24-referencing "Jack Bauer" opens with the soul of Soundgarden before switching to Thievery Corporation mode at 1:23. The whole thing really bangs. Perfect for boozy barbecues, fast driving and late-night living-room afterparties.