:: Burning With The Times

H-Block 101

The long awaited major label debut from the Melbourne music scene's social conscious, H Block 101. Edgy and raw - this is the way rock n roll is supposed to sound. Far from smoothing the edges, Burning With The Times hacks it out with a chainsaw. Chock full with 22 songs on two CDs (it only takes an hour to play them both!), and with enough real emotion and earnest truth to put a thousand pop groups to shame. Not since Midnight Oil has a band so convincingly worn its political and social heart on its sleeve, every track extols the views of the band on issues such as corporate and personal greed, racism and individual issues like self worth and the celebration of individuality. Musically its 70's style punk with a pinch of ska and reggae thrown in - kind of an unpolished Living End. The first thing that hits you with this record is the passion and the energy, you just know they're in it for the love of the craft. From Disc 1, the highlights for me are the current single “Group Dynamics” and the menacing “State of Decay for the Modern Man” which features some excellent guitar work. “Disappointing Life” is a rant against suburban mediocrity and false pokie dreams and the boys look globally with “Someone Else's War” which looks at the lunacy of war - especially when the power brokers aren't the ones getting shot at! Disc 2 continues the theme, tracks like the well observed “Koka Kolinisation” - a searing critique of the good old American way of life, and the fear that it's happening to us, “Pleasing the Crowd” features some sharp riffing rhythm guitar and a driving beat. The reggae of “Sky is Falling” provides a musical change of pace, while “When Only Money Counts” is a vitriolic spray of the music industry. With their outspoken views H-Block 101 will probably alienate as many fans as they convert. The really pleasing thing about this release is that the musicianship isn't forgotten, the tunes are interesting - and ultimately that's what will convert the uninitiated.
http://www.hblock101.com