So I'd been hearing the track "Handlebars" alot on XM and liked it instantly for some reason. The lyrics are great and the style is refreshing and yet obvious in today's pop market. Basically, my theory of suburban white kids growing up on rap, with endless other influences too, is beginning to become more of a niche market. Of course we've had hints to this "novelty" market for years, but I really feel like Flobots do what a lot of acts try to do; effortlessly. It's an across the board eclectic collection of groove-able songs with a now widely supported political dialogue. In short, we are becoming quite a corrupt nation based on selfishness, greed, racism, religious oppression and a look-the-other way authority system. I expect more and more young bands will be tackling more of these issues as November 08 approaches, rather than just making dance music. If you're looking for something refreshing and well executed, go grab their album "Fight With Tools" (released May 20th, 2008) and if you're in the Nashville area, Grimey's on 8th has it for $10.99 and it comes with a free 7" of "Handlebars" & "Rise" (the closing album track) which is a great deal! The album is a mix of many genres and media and is a fun listen. I don't see how anyone could not find themselves bobbing their head to at least a few tracks as the music is very likable and dynamic. From what I've heard it's real instrument tracks, including strings, as the base (not synthesized) and layered with audio snippets and layered with several styles of rap & other vocals. The range on this album is quite impressive. This is not limited to a rap album in any way, with tracks like "Never Had It" which is a mellower track with nice harmonies- the girl in the band really brings a nice level to the tracks. In many ways I see this album as a vehicle for political commentary, but it's something that I feel needs to happen these days. We cannot just sit around listening to happy-lyric nonesense, or self loathing ballads when the nation is in so much trouble on so many levels. The lyrics and overall sound are what's getting me right now, sure you can find better "rap" out there, but this is definitely just creative expression in it's most basic form and they do an excellent job of getting their views, and more importantly, their sound across. It's great to hear some actual passion and intelligence from a youthful band these days. In short, it's not gonna be for everyone, but if you're like me with tastes across the board, you always enjoy an album with a little bit of everything thrown in to the pot.
Album Art:
just a few Lyric excerpts:
"Handlebars"
In such a small world
All curled up with a book to read
I can make money open up a thrift store
I can make a living off a magazine
I can design an engine sixty four
Miles to a gallon of gasoline
I can make new antibiotics
I can make computers survive aquatic conditions
I know how to run a business
And I can make you wanna buy a product
Movers shakers and producers
Me and my friends understand the future
I see the strings that control the systems
I can do anything with no assistance
I can lead a nation with a microphone
"Mayday!!"
it was half-past eight in the bat cave
when the cracks in the plaster collapsed
and gave way to gaps in the pavement
mayday mayday
put it on blast
for the passengers and messengers
cause this is a disaster
where the fuck are the rescue workers
not far
off pissing on a cop car
in the hall with a poptart
sipping liquor in the rockbar
everyone climb to the frontline
lunchtimes cancelled
all hands on deck to pull survivors from the landfill
onlookers passers-by brush of your shoulders
shake off that rubble
break free from your standstill
"Never Had It"
Youve never had it so you hesitate to try and find it
You listen carefully for whispers of what lurks behind it
You play the corners
Never get too close to where it might be
Waiting for you
Never had it
Keep on wanting something more
Keep hiding the hope and than the pain is not yours
No ones holding a rope gotta pull up on your own.
All the songs have been sung
And all the doors have be closed
Keep on wanting more.
"Rise"
Lost hope and found need
Grounded by our surroundings
Did the walls scream universities
Or you and i verse the tees
React automatic and we burst when squeezed
And make 9-11 each emergency
Urgency amber to red like the turning leaves
Oh please let the hurting cease
Don't let apathy police the populace
We will march across
Those stereotypes that were marked for us
The answers obvious
We switch the consonants
Change the sword to words and lift continents
If you believe in redemption
I'm calling to you from another dimension
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