International Noise Conspiracy
Smash It Up
Burning Heart/Big Wheel Recreation
Anarchy, apathy and nihilism, but with a keen ear for melody, are the revolving themes of this Swedish political rock machine. A collective of disaffected citizens of our complex world, the Conspiracy uses a familiar rock background with the old-school punk revolt ethic of the late ’70s. Each of the three tunes on this EP seem to be more inspired by classic rock riffs than the “new noise” explored by singer Dennis Lyxzen’s previous outfit, the amazing Refused.
As with their full-length predecessor, Survival Sickness, traditional rhythms are explored with random noises and rollicking, angry singalong choruses added in for good measure. “Sleeping Pills” and “Smash It Up” follow old Doors song structures, but if Jim Morrison indulged in crystal meth instead of heroin, the output would sound more like The International Noise Conspiracy. Although Smash It Up is a halfway decent throwback to the tunes of the past, with plenty of lyrical firepower as well, this eight-minute riot still isn’t quite effective enough to provoke revolution, merely questioning.
Burning Heart/Big Wheel Recreation, 325 Huntington Avenue, #24, Boston, MA 02115; http://www.bunrningheart.com
