(I'm reprinting this from my actual blog, seeing as KPunk (I think) had something nice to say about it, and it may be of interest to some of you. It originally came at the end of a series of entries about my favourite records of the year)
...It’s interesting to me that this selection features a lot of instrumental music.I’m thinking this reflects a malaise in the contemporary scene, because it sure looks to me like no one has anything to say anymore.
The US is saddled with one of the worst administrations in their history, a horrendous gaggle of corporate whores with their noses in the trough, their eyes blinded with corrupt ideology and their hands giving you the finger. A similar situation under Reagan threw up Husker Du, Big Black, The Minutemen, Black Flag, a thriving underground full of fire and passion who railed against these charlatans. It was similiar in the UK as well. Okay, so Crass were unlistenable and Red Wedge was an embarrassment, but at least people were trying to do something positive.
