Search - Chain and the Gang :: Down With Liberty... Up With Chains! [Vinyl]

The style might change, but the song remains the same

David M. Madden | salt lake, utah United States | 04/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chain and The Gang is Nation of Ulysses, Weird War, The Make-Up etc. founder Ian Svenonius' latest punk outlet, and knowing his penchant for anarchy, this project is exactly what you expect: anything goes! Rooted in a learnedly-sloppy No-Wave aesthetic (I first mistook this for a 1980 re-release), Svenonius pushes his "I'm calmly pissed" vocal delivery over lackadaisical rhythms, studio clamor (i.e. background Greek Chorus style responses to his words), bored Blondieesque backup work (provided by a host of indie-rock greats), occasional horn bursts and so-simple-they're-cool keys and guitars. Svenonius still hates indie rock and explaining the obvious ("Interview with the Chain Gang"), Capitalism ("What Is a Dollar?") and loves conspiracies ("Deathbed Confession"), but speaks about the subjects in an incredibly clever way that's free from "Rip The System!" clichés. The style might change, but the song remains the same: Svenonius's 13-Point Program to Destroy America is still in effect"