R*E*P*E*A*T* presents Fear of a Black Kennett Now the crass punchline has been typed Ill get on with the
murky business of the body of the review
. I wont bang on about Love Music Hate Racism (or Rock Against Racism, to read more see our feature) the name says it all. But this album is being released to raise money for LMHR. All causes are worthy ones and its up to you to prioritise (I dont want to come over all Bono, fnarr) but racism is a particularly viscous and corrosive force that continues to blight police forces, institutions and communities around the world and as such LMHR is an important and bloody valid organisation! Fear of A Black Kennett is rough around the edges, as it should be, with volcanic high points the Kinesis demo, which opens proceedings, reminds us all that its a crime they dont get more coverage. The delicious 7 Hearts from Chris T-T, the foot stamping Just As Dead Now from The Virgin Suicides, with its Wild Hearts smirk and American History X sample, the raw, drum-infused The Not Gate from The Exiles, like an unravelled Strokes, fem-fantastic We Can Build You with their Distillers-esque jaunt In and Out Some great electropunkpop from massively tipped Corporation: Blend comes in the form of The Shutdown. A track with swirling, nasal vocals extraordinarily reminiscent of Paul Mansun Draper, with impeccable use of a simple structure. The Virgin Suicides contributed two tracks to the album and remind one of early Manics, before they were fat and, well, shite. Little Mannequin (acoustic version) follows Corporation: Blend like a post-coital cigarette. Neo pump a dirty, distorted snap shot with Die In America, an endearing Strummer-esque accent overlays a track with Ifwhiteamericatoldthetruthforonedayitsworldwouldfallapart (Manics) strains. Asian Dub Foundation get the final word with the stomping and articulate Black and White. Its a bit lazy to draw endless comparisons but when the album is a chocolate box of new talent its the best way to get the essence across. It is angry because we should get angry. The topics are not of the Ebony and Ivory gurningly simplistic variety, theyre incredibly wide ranging. But this isnt about black, white, blue or red its about division in our communities, its about hatred for hatreds sake and its about ignorance. A force for change is needed and what is more forceful, dirty and direct than honest to goodness, spit and feathers rock music at its bitterest? To close as I started BUY THIS ALBUM, NOW! Holly Noseda More info on Love Music Hate Racism: www.lmhr.org.uk
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