London Zoo

'London Zoo' could be the album to bring broad public awareness to the underground dubstep scene. Not that I myself feel that it's really necessary to commercialize it, but on the other hand, I am not one to whine about more people being introduced to the genres rumbling wobble-bass attack.

Now, The Bug's interpretation of hard dub comes in a more hooky and easily digestible, jungle-like form (at least on this album), often heavily reliant on excellent guest vocalists, most notably Flowdan, Tippa Irie and Warrior Queen, and often following general song-patterns - not at all what we're used to from Rusko, Caspa, Skream, Benga, Cotti and Cluekid's 2-4 hour mixes. The tracks here are also less just about the BASS which might upset some of the more hardcore steppers, and I too feel that some heavier bass-hooks could have been beneficial for the album, as a form of introducing a more original dubstep-y feel. But as mentioned before, this album is probably intends to show a more accessible side of it all.
And after listening to dubstep on and off for about 2 years, I have to admit that it _can_ get weary with the nearly constant reliance on wobbling bass, almost any artist (I've heard) have had for the entirety of the genres existence. Even though that, of course, what was got me into it, it's lovely to hear something a little different.

And that small leaning towards a more pop-oriented audience paves the way for the tracks on 'London Zoo' to actually show something that, up to this point seemed alien to the dubstep scene: Hit potential.
Tracks lasting your average 4-6 minutes, sporting memorable choruses and danceable rhythms. The first one that comes to mind as appealing to the broad club audience is "Poison Dart" featuring Warrior Queen, as well as the hysterical rant - the album opener "Angry" with Tippa Irie.
And my personal favorite, the much remixed "Skeng", also simply have to bring some attention to 'London Zoo'. The pure awesomeness of this track is almost overwhelming. Flowdan's baritone Jamaican flow is such a pleasure to listen to backed up by a very neat, very slow-rolling beat, you just can't sit still, in fact Flowdan is probably what saves the album for me. I'm not totally into the jungle-dance stuff, although on a purely objective level I admit it's well done.

All in all, I can highly recommend 'London Zoo' to folks who want to discover a lighter side of dubstep. But for a more old-school record, with equally manageable track lengths, check out Fabriclive.37

The Bug's first release on the Wordsound label was well wicked. He made an alternative score to the movie the Conversation. No wonder he went with the name the Bug. That movie is F$%^ked Up! London Zoo drops us right in the middle of the dubstep scene. This album sounds best in a cloud of smoke. The track that will twist your noodle is Poison Dart feat. the Warrior Queen. The Bug and Warrior Queen need to do a full-length project. Their chemistry is aggressive, yet very calming. Don't Sleeeeeep!