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By KRYSTINA GRANDMOND
Staff Writer

It's the song that first caught my attention and got me hooked.

"Welcome to The Street Pharmacy", the first track on the band's CD, Free Delivery. As it blasts from my speakers, I remember those first moments when I heard the reggae inspired beats, and I smile.

It's not too often that something this original comes around. I'm exposed to countless independent bands and artists every day. I spend so much time researching these people, that I often lose the loop on popular performers in my area. It was at the Niagara Music Awards' first ceremony in 2008 that I fell in love with this talented group.

I was surprised that I'd never heard their name before. They were obviously an immensely popular band. And their sound ... it left me speechless.

As a fan of sounds like No Doubt, Sublime, The Salads, and These Three Cities (formerly Afflatus), this genre (or combination of genres) is exactly my style.

I knew instantly, upon returning to the NMA's in 2009, and hearing their name called on yet another win, that the Street Pharmacy had to be a part of Soundline.

Now I'm sitting here, while the songs shift and I am again hit with the sensation that I am in the presence of something brilliant.

I'm listening to "Crazy Gunner", a song about fate, or Karma, which tells a story of a gun wielding mugger turned victim in a car accident. I have to listen to the track twice to get the story, because the first time, I was so busy grooving along to the catchy beats that I forgot, just for a moment, to pay attention to the lyrics.

The CD never lets you down. Through the catchy and upbeat rhythm of songs like "Figure It Out", "Two Brothers", and "Go It Alone" and the slower, more serious flow of "Winter Coat" and "This Life", it's hard not to get involved in the stories they tell.

It's even harder to decide on any distinct genre for this band. While the reggae shines through in many of the songs, there is still a rock undertone to much of their music, as well as a little bit of funk, soul, and just a touch of rap here and there.

I'm not disappointed though. It's part of what makes Street Pharmacy so unique, and so universal. It's a sound that can appeal to the masses, satisfying fans of every genre just enough, while not disappointing with too much of something they don't like.

A new addition to my list of favourites, Free Delivery is a CD I would reccommend to anybody who is a fan of music.

Listen to it once for the music, then once again for the stories.