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Warsawpack

Stocks & Bombs
2003
G7 Welcoming Committee

Warsawpack - Stocks & Bombs (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Adam
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Published on August 19th 2003

I’ve read so many writers stumble when trying to describe Warsawpack’s sound. It’s generally not the fault of the reviewer: this is a difficult band to categorize and they likely revel in that fact. There are moments on Stocks & Bombs where songs seamlessly flow between rap, jazz, dub, rock and other genres. Political hip-hop lyrics are set against a backdrop of flutes, tenor and baritone saxophones, a solid, jazzy rhythm section, a turntable DJ and a guitarist. Yet for all the cacophony of terms and descriptions of the band, Warsawpack is remarkably smooth, rhythmic and cohesive.

Vocalist Lee Raback often jumps from his flowing political rap into enraged street-profit rants (think Zach de la Rocha) and sarcastic-to-the-point-of-condescending passages not unlike much of Jello Biafra’s lyrics with the Dead Kennedys. The targets of Raback’s attacks are varied, but there is an overall theme to the record that confronts the attitudes of post-911 Western society. The albums most biting commentary “Pushing Hands” rallies against the Bush administration’s march to war. Lyrically the song is shockingly direct and a level above the sloganeering most political bands utilize:

“But corporate press is complicit / In the mass slaughter of millions of innocent women and children / And “Missed Targets” / Like big structures with red crosses painted on top of them”
…
“I swear to God it might sound absurd at first / But ain’t it a lot like Nazi Germany

While plenty of hardcore acts write similar lyrics, they carry quite a different weight when presented in a form that doesn’t require a lyric sheet to decipher. The song elaborates on this caustic argument only to follow things up with the flute-based, playful instrumental “Wolfblitzer.” Such is Stocks & Bombs’ game: coupling deep grooves and fun instrumentals with some of the most confrontational lyrics I’ve seen this year from any band.

Warsawpack’s politics will polarize their listeners, but at the very least they’ll spark debate. Musically the band remains one of the smartest and most interesting groups to emerge from the Ontario indie scene in years. Do yourself a favour and give this a few spins.

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Posted by Maks on 2006-01-30 21:49:39
My Score:

don't download it, it deserves to be bought! AMAZING record, and i hadn't never listened to this type of music before, exept their previous record.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 26, 2004 at 11:47 PM (EDT)
My Score:

These guys are the fucking bomb. Get their entire albums on soulseek.

I saw them live in Fredericton, New Brunswick - And was completely amazed. He jiggles like Mr. Biafra himself, but twice the soul. His macroeconomical idealogies are blunt and in your face. This is the motivation we all need, on G7 with propagandhi, they rock your socks. If you do not check out this band, you're missing one of the finest albums i've ever heard.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 25, 2003 at 10:00 AM (EDT)
My Score:

i think warsawpack is the most unique, fresh and to the point group around. such a chill sound with raback spittin with such intensity...cant get enough of warsawpack!!! oh and the 'gets in your soul' son gis called attention to deficit...PEACE

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 7, 2003 at 3:34 PM (EDT)
My Score:

This album if fucking insanely good!Much more uptempo and rocking than 2002's Gross Domestic Product.
To anybody who read the above review, note that the "Pushing Hands" is actually the instrumental track and "Wolfblitzer" is the track with the quoted lyrics. You can download an mp3 of "Wolfblitzer" from the G7 Welcoming Committee website.

Posted by AnaMorph0sIs on 2003-09-02 15:21:17
My Score:

Have the band ever released the song 'We Conquer' ? I've only gotten the mp3 off their site, and that song seriously kick the shit out of most songs, it's great.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at 11:32 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Almost as good as the first one...not quite, but almost. Which is still pretty damn good, since the first one rocked my ass all over the place.

Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-08-21 00:57:12
My Score:

Attention to Deficit

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 at 10:55 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i heard the song where it goes "it gets in your soul", the lyrics for that song are awesome.

Posted by AnaMorph0sIs on 2003-08-20 18:03:13
My Score:

Haven't heard this one yet, but if it's as good as their earlier stuff, it's bound for glory ... ;)

Posted by _911 on 2003-08-20 02:33:41
My Score:

ahh i remember they opened for bad religion in hamilton.. that show was amazing!!

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at 8:03 PM (EDT)
My Score:

No matter what you are bound to respect this band.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at 5:36 PM (EDT)
My Score:

their first album was amazing, can't wait to hear this one.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at 1:55 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i may ramble on how so and so is gonna be on my best of 2003 list. but this band has definitely secured a spot. definitely a good album.

Ramo

Posted by hungryjoe on 2003-08-19 13:45:47
My Score:

I loved Gross Domestic Product. As long as this is more of the same, I'm sold.

Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-08-19 13:32:07
My Score:

Man, I love this band.