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Food in the Belly

by Xavier Rudd

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Based on musical transgressions committed by the likes of Jamiroquai--well, okay, only Jamiroquai—-some might say the didgeridoo has no place in rock 'n' roll. An avowed fan of Paul Simon's Graceland, however, Xavier Rudd continues to seek redemption for the much-maligned instrument from his Australian homeland on his sixth full-length release, Food in the Belly, an earthy collection of roots-rock tunes that also sees the one-man-band champion everything from wind chimes and tubas to ankle bells and tablas. On slow-percolating tracks like "Messages" and "Pockets of Peace," the part-time surfer seems to share not only Jack Johnson's laidback delivery style but passive preachiness: "So speak out loud/ Of the things you are proud/ And if you love this coast/ Then keep it clean as it hopes." Fans of Michael Franti and Ben Harper wouldn't go amiss. --Aidin Vaziri