Artist: The King Blues
Title: Under The Fog
Label: Island
Genre: Indie
Bitrate: 187kbit av.
Time: 00:38:29
Size: 52.58 mb
Rip Date: 2008-10-17
Str Date: 2008-00-00
1. Intro 2:42
2. Blood On My Hands 3:18
3. We Ain't Never Done 3:38
4. Mr Music Man 2:30
5. Come Fi Di Youth 4:32
6. The Sound Of Revolt 2:45
7. If I Had A Coin... 2:55
8. Chimp In A 3 Piece Suit 2:20
9. Duck And Cover 1:17
10. Taking Over 2:42
11. Getting Out Of Here 9:50
Release Notes:
This reissue contains many new edits of the original tracks.
The Track "Under The Fog" was renamed "We Ain't Never Done"
and "Taking Over" and "The Sound of Revolt" swapped places on
the track listings.
------------------
Back in 1970 when Edwin Starr bellowed out æWar (What Is It
Good For?)Æ itÆs unlikely to have rendered the response:
ôprotest songsö. But now, in the midst of 2008, thatÆs exactly
what weÆve got. From Bobby Gillespie to Chris Martin, George
Michael to Ian Brown, it seems modern day rock ænÆ rollers
canÆt be considered true, iconic figureheads unless at least
one ditty denouncing governmental spawned combat is found
lurking within a back catalogue that contains tracks that pine
over loves lost or celebrate the virtues of a cheeky gram on
an inebriated night out.
So, is this politicised soap-box standing on the part of our
lovable pop-rogues and roguettes a good thing? Who can really
say? There are those who believe itÆs the duty of todayÆs
entertainers to enlighten the yoof on societal misgivings, but
thereÆs an argument to suggest pop and politics should never,
ever mix. (Remember this abominable attempt by Pink?) But in
todayÆs marketing orientated climes, where a rub of green on
an industry fat-catÆs sweaty palms goes a long, long way,
thereÆs little doubting the smattering of publicity derived
from straddling the pedestal of war doesnÆt harm an artist's
chances of success.
Of course itÆs easy to be cynical and over the decades
numerous acts have swathed the sword of melody-riddled
activism without having to answer to claims of co-option or
band-wagon jumping. And ready to join this cluster of
politicised tune-smugglers are Hackney-born reggae punks The
King Blues with the release of their debut long-player Under
The Fog û a record that pleads for its melodic substance to be
heard just as intensely as it lobbyist protestations.
Pious supporters of both the anti-capitalism and anti-racism
movements, the trioÆs intentions are immediately apparent,
with snippets of pre-Iraq War news broadcasts pasted across
the copious bass and flustered strums of the album's
introductory offering. From here, Under The Fog emerges as a
furious, rootsy ska-punk celebration that tips its hat to
Billy BraggÆs grass-roots cultural diatribes whilst paying
heed to The ClashÆs muted momentÆs of inner-city reflection
and Gogol BordelloÆs frantic hurry of instrumental uprising.
Unsurprisingly, rebellion is never far from the heart of every
full-blooded cut, with the likes of 'Blood On My Hands' and
'We AinÆt Never Done' shuffling devotedly to an organic rhythm
contrived by bristled percussion and folksy guitar while
frontman Jonny FoxÆs embittered crow promises ôresistanceö and
impending ôrevolution" so urgently you begin to believe him û
well, almost. See, thereÆs a distinct whiff of the Jamie Ts to
the recordÆs reggae-bridling spirit; yÆknow the kind of
Rastaman masquerading that made Panic Prevention so impossible
to take seriously. And thatÆs the underlying issue with Under
The Fog, tracks like the dub-wielding æCome Fi Di YouthÆ and
equally groove-laden æThe Sound Of Revolt want, nay demand,
completely unsalted consumption. Yet, it's a bitch of a task
to pull off.
For all their change-pushing convictions, The King Blues lack
the impact to affect an audience with the ease their idols
once could. Whereas Strummer or Bragg had the gusto to impale
their idealism upon a culture salivating for change, Fox is
preaching to a nation with an attention span barely capable of
enduring a five minute news bulletin without reaching for the
remote control. So when he ironically bemoans lost weapons of
mass destruction (æDuck And CoverÆ) or ridicules power hungry
executives (ÆChimp In A 3 Piece SuitÆ) his impact is minimal;
merely an un-insisting, un-provocative vocal that accompanies
a set of virulent, contagious melodies.
And thatÆs a real shame, because beneath the faux-reggae
surface of Under The Fog lies a record of intelligence and
craft that shits all over the nonplussed atrocities belted out
by far less culturally conscious luminaries. The luscious
gleam of last single æMr Music ManÆ and æTaking OverÆÆs
misty-eyed stroll are so blushed with sunshine jangling they
could inject the feel-good frolicking of summer into even the
most granite of hearts. The politics are, of course, still
heavily embedded within the lyrical content of each but when
æGetting Out Of HereÆ chaperones you to the albumÆs exit it
bestows such a simplistic sense of self-worth and pride upon
your listening lugs it matters not where your leanings lie -
it's just good, spirit-lifting music that has the power to
bind the divided with itÆs ebullient charm.
War may be good for absolutely nothing but itÆs relieving to
know it can still spur acts as passionate and willing as The
King Blues.