Fuck World Trade,
Leftover CrackThis is probably the most ‘punk’ record I’ve reviewed all year. It says a lot about my musical tastes by the fact that I’ve shunned a lot of other political records this year, but it’s not necessarily for the reasons you may assume. I must admit that Leftover Crack are not usually the kind of band that I’d go crazy about, but I thought I’d give them a chance – mainly to see if I could further my musical education. However, my main dislike for this kind of music is that many bands’ messages are becoming watered down. I’m getting sick of this whole anti-Bush bullshit and the playground politics that many bands are putting out. It’s not that I’m pro-Bush at all, it’s like the whole ‘let’s sing about girls’ fad of 2003; now it’s cool to sing about the downfall of George W. It’s amusing to me how many press photos we receive of band members wearing ‘Not My President’ t-shirts. We know he’s not, you don’t have to tell us kids, he’s American…
So forgive me for starting this review with a rant, but the cynic in me is becoming increasingly fed up of bands using politics as a gimmick. Anyone can say ‘George, you’re a wanker’, and in my eyes it’s dumbing down the bands who actually do have something valid and important to say. LoC certainly have something to say - a band that come across like Operation Ivy brawling with some New York hardcore bands, their originality is pretty refreshing. But you can forgive me for fearing the worst when I see artwork featuring a plane crashing into the twin towers and a man standing next to a petrol pump…
So on to the music and thank goodness that some of my preconceptions were dispelled pretty quickly. LoC don’t rely on the same topics to push their points. Clear Channel, over-population, 9/11, religion and racism are just some of the topics the band chooses to talk about. While they really try and force home their message, Stza and co never really ram it down your throats – it’s like they provide the ammunition and allow you to make up your own mind. Opener ‘Clear Channel (fuck Off)’ is exactly what it says on the tin, a warning to all about the dangers of the firm gobbling up commercial radio stations and venues and force-feeding the world with radio-friendly generic shit. ‘Life Is Pain’ talks about over-population and a lack of education, while ‘Super Tuesday’ is probably the most ‘punk’ song I’ve heard in a long time. Maybe Anti-Flag need to get a copy of this record and get back to basics?
As I touched on before, LoC musically isn’t my thing – and the vocals can be a bit much at times – but you have to admire the way they really are not scared of mixing things up or trying new instruments. ‘Fuck World Trade’ is a call-to-arms – a record aimed at showing the world the big multi-national organisations are not the be-all and end-all. LoC try and show there are alternatives and there are ways to make a difference, and with this record they succeed. It will get you thinking and it will make you suspicious – and if that is the reaction they provoke across the Globe then surely it’s job done…
Household Name Records
Paul
