by Alex Henderson
A master of both hard-hitting political commentary and apolitical &lover's rock& (reggae love songs), Gregory Isaacs has recorded many five-star albums over the years. Boom Shot, however, isn't one of them. Decent but certainly not breathtaking, this is a CD that should be acquired only by his more devoted followers (of which there are many). Isaacs' singing isn't nearly as confident or inspired as it so often was in the past, and only a few of the songs are memorable. The reggae veteran does have fairly strong compositions in &Rude Boy Saddam& (a commentary on the early-'90s Persian Gulf War slamming both George Bush and Saddam Hussein) and the anti-crime number &Petty Robber.& Unfortunately, none of the lover's rock songs are in a class with a gem like his 1980s mega-hit &Night Nurse.&