City Slang (label)
13 September 2004 (released)
16 September 2004
Radio 4 continue to follow their New Order/Clash vibe in the bouncy ‘Stealing of a Nation'. The bands live energy and subversive political lyrics shine through in this Brooklyn's bands 3rd album.
‘Stealing of a Nation' is related to the ‘theft' of the US 2000 election and the invasion of Iraq and it is in the lyrics that the albums strength lies. The two singles ‘Party Crashers' and ‘Absolute Affirmation' (New Order in all but name) received welcome airplay but a third single is harder to pin-point. Musically there is a repetitive quality in evidence and no one song seems to raise itself above the musical parapet. Anthony Roman's vocal delivery and his political agenda themselves become victims to diluted grooves and drum beats. He also clearly admires Joe Strummer, but that surely can only be looked on as positive.
‘Stealing of a Nation' is produced by Max Hayes (Doves and Primal Scream) but the music fails to capture his previous works glory. This New York indie/dance crossover band look to have taken a groove too far.
