| New album UN |
Last Update: |
So. It's the year 2004 and there's a new Chumbawamba-album. Time to close this chapter, time to reflect one more time about what Chumabwamba and their music, their politics, have meant to me in the past. They don't mean that much any more, but that's probably saying more about me. In fact, it doesn't say anything about Chumbawamba, who have stayed the same, bar some line-up-changes, since, well, forever. Ever since embracing dance music way back when, the Chumba-style might have evolved, but despite all their claims to the contrary, there's hardly been any radical change. It says Chumbawamba on the cover and that's what you get, when you buy it. Instantly recognisable.
The new album is not exactly a departure from anything they have done before and there's probably no need for that. I do wonder why they keep on claiming that it'd be different this time around, when, in all honesty, they just don't change. This album sports more acoustic guitars than previous efforts, but that's about it. Which is just as well, as it works very well in some songs - and less so in others. The main question would have to be: How relevant can a band like Chumbawamba be in 2004? There is no denying that politics still has a place in pop and that now as ever there is a need for outspoken, active bands with something to say. The (International) Noise Conspiracy might be a case in point, constantly playing bigger venues and, for all means and purposes, looking very much like Chumbawamba (even if they don't sound alike). Banners on stage, slogans, "revolutionary" energy. It's not necessarily convincing, but so what. Hey, there's even a new Senser-album out.
"Un" has tracks that inspire (me) like the best Chumba-songs. When they turn their minds to individual stories, speak about what inspires them, their songs can grab you, no matter how sweet the sound might be - "Be With You" is the most powerful example. But when they use those tired old "scratch"-effects from yesteryear's hiphop-book of cool, the music ends up sounding more dated than an acoustic guitar could ever. Which is something that still has to be said about other lyrics found on this album. The Chumba-perspective is still deeply rooted in an eternal "us vs them"-fight, which is in constant danger of neglecting the changes that are taking places. Of course, nothing has gotten "better" and a lot has gotten "worse", but if you end up sounding like Billy Bragg, chances are you've not noticed it's 2004 now.
Yes. It is 2004. Some of us have travelled continents, some of us have fallen in love, fallen out of love, maybe given up on things, who knows? Some even have jobs now. But Chumbawamba carry on just the same. They're back in the smaller clubs now, at least here in Germany. They might have said that they've changed their live set around a bit, but again, it's pretty much the same as it's been for ages now. To end on the full-on anti-fascist-hymn-serving of "The Day The Nazi Died"/"Enough Is Enough"/"Bella Ciao" is as powerful as ever. "Tubthumping" is - for most , I admit to having heard this song often enough - a rousing success and "Big Mouth Strikes Again" doesn't sound any different from, say, 1992. It seems to work, still. Though not for me. It just feels like I have moved on already and it's time to admit that I never need to hear "Time bomb" ever again.
So. Best of luck, then. Might see you some place, sometime.
I have to add the following:
I can only second what Mark is writing: Things have moved on for me as well. I have changed. My music taste has changed. Don't get me wrong: I still like Chumbawamba. I do like the new album. Some of the new songs are great and some aren't.
But as said before things and interests have changed. That's why it took me about 2 months before I finally decided to buy the album. I didn't regret it but it didn't mean too much for me either. Things have just changed. Still some Chumbawamba songs of the past mean quite a lot for me.
Thank you, Chumbawamba. For the songs. For the inspiration. For the memories. For great concerts: For the nice time in the last 12 years.