Fight With Tools
Yes, we can figure out how to ride a bike with no handlebars.
But can you start a band that not only puts rock, rap, and politics together without making critics use the Rage word and puts rap that isn’t typical “white boy” brand corny in the mix? Not only that, but could you pull it off with a roster number that rivals a ska band, yet sounds like the descendant of The Minutemen, Cake, and Public Enemy?
The first couple minutes of the Denver-bred seven-piece begins with a public announcement: “There is a war going on for your mind…” which is the title track but carries into a political rhetoric.
“Mayday!!!”, the second track, begins out of the climax of the intro and moves into a loop between apocalyptic chanting, ballads, and social lyrics. Like half of this album, there is a very protest folk influence.
“Same Thing” is another well-crafted song lyrically, with the group bringing out their heavy funk side.
Next is “Stand Up”. This number begins with a single violin and a chant that can break your skin into shivers: “Stand up! We shall not be moved!” Underneath it all, the funk slips in and lets the song flow into a political rant.
“Fight with Tools” is a funk number with a folk chorus. Behind it all is an unloaded clip of violin riffs.
Most of you already know the single, “Handlebars”, a rock number with a reggae beat discussing the dangers of power.
“Never Had It” is the first song on the album that breaks away from the folk-funk cycle in a major way. It opens with a verse from a female singer, switches with a rap verse, back to singing from Johnny 5 (one of the band’s MCs) and finishes with another rap.
“Combat” is a short funk piece that blazes through with beatboxing and slap bass.
“The Rhythm Method” is the first song with lyrical content that separates itself from politics. Simply put, it’s a dance number.
“Anne Braden” is a folk-esque story about a girl trying to break away from the racism of her hometown in Mississippi with a haunting chorus “She always knew there was something wrooooong…”
“We Are Winning” is a song with hope, discussing the positive side of the world’s conflicts.
“Rise”, which will be the band’s second single from the album, is the finish. It’s an uplifting rave of confidence, and the group’s most straightforward rock number.
