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Warsawpack

Stocks & Bombs (2003)
G7 Welcoming Committee Records

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Contributed by: Adam
(others by this writer | submit your own)

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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publichousing (March 27, 2010)

This album and band are way too good. I thought Gross Domestic Product was so amazing and this album is too. They are just so interesting to listen to, with all those instruments and the amount of diversity they produce. Not many other artists captivate me like these guys do. Those sax and flute bits are great. And the lyrics are astounding, they're almost like a small essay and most def hold alot of power. Mammon's Parade (amazing) and War On Drugs are the standouts to me, but really, the whole album is a standout. It upsets me that these guys split up so early.

Maks (January 30, 2006)

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.

Anonymous (July 26, 2004)

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.

Anonymous (October 25, 2003)

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

Anonymous (September 7, 2003)

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.

AnaMorph0sIs (September 2, 2003)

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.

Anonymous (August 26, 2003)

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.

FortyMinutesWest (August 21, 2003)

Attention to Deficit

Anonymous (August 20, 2003)

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

AnaMorph0sIs (August 20, 2003)

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

_911 (August 20, 2003)

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

Anonymous (August 19, 2003)

No matter what you are bound to respect this band.