Ah, so the long awaited 'progress' arrives, but wait? what's this? Instead of simply ploughing into VCG3 they've adopted the tried and tested 30 second filler to instill suspense, surprise and just a tinge of genius.Imagine the shock on your face if Propagandhi did a song about bunny rabbits running through open grass and picnics. Yes, weird I hear you say, well that pretty sums up this eclectic mix of songs.
If I sound like a cynical asshole, well, you'd be right, but when it comes to this CD I just cannot decide what it wants to be. Premiering for the rest of the show is '0-28', a fade in sample which is repeated at the end of the item amid shouting, but hey we'll get to that; this short, sweet and content devoid track flows seamlessly into 'VCG3' - which puts out a promising performancing; anti-capitalist lyrics, amid almost nu-metal style guitars and trumpets, showing the bandits certainly aren't afraid of crossing genres.
'Consequential Apathy' seems hindered by its insistence on an utterly annoying chorus, as the rest of the song goes at quite a pace, with good strong vocals - so why the shouting? It just isn't needed in my opinion, especially before the millenium-conscious-cultural-observation that is 'Analog boy'; as the lead says 'don't be so digital', funnily enough it reminds me of another well known song by a far bigger band (answers on a postcard). Despite this, it is pop-punktastic, and if that floats your boat, then you'll lap this up and ask for more.
But are you going to 'get' it? (I crack myself up) Yes, the appallingly titled 5th track is a good listen, though by the point 'all the time' comes around you realise that they really, really enjoy ending on a solo bass. 'In all Rwanda's Glory' and 'Babylon' just seem like bad ska tracks, even on repeated listenings. Moving swiftly on, 'Who would've thought' seems incredibly upbeat, and is also another good listen, despite it's uncanny similarity to 'VCG3'.
Then, like a sledgehammer to the face, they throw 'status' in. Don't get me wrong, it's one of my favourite songs, but what the hell? What exactly is this album about? girls? Media domination? Social hierarchy? It seems as though the bandits just thought they'd throw everything in the pot for good measure; unfortunately, someone seems to have spiked it with caffeine free coke. But to show it was no anomaly, following up comes 'anyone but you', another pure pop punk song, with the same old lyrics you've heard a million times before. Laugh or cry, the choice is yours. Ending 'infection' brings it to a satisfying enough finish, with plenty of rage coming out in the vocals, but you still feel like you've spent 1 hour on a 40 degrees fast spin.
Want to listen to songs about girls not talking to you, whilst at the same time raging against the media machine? This is one for all you weirdos!*. But then you probably own some Frank Zappa stuff as well.**
nick
key:-
* Seriously though, you could do a lot worse.
** Ha ha. No really, it's a Joke.
