The Cross Of My Calling

We Say...

Review by Jon Wiederhorn

When The (International) Noise Conspiracy arose from the ashes of Swedish hardcore provocateurs Refused, they played undistorted garage punk with a fury and fanaticism that matched their incendiary lyrics. Now, a decade from their formation, the bandmembers are more about evolution than revolution. While their lyrics remain politically charged, the songs have become almost independent of the polemic, and if the albums are still soundtracks for subversion, the protest has turned from an angry riot to a love in.

The Noise Conspiracy's fourth full album, The Cross of My Calling, is upbeat and anthemic, filled with vivacious soul-funk groove and smiley scream-along choruses. As with the pop-saturated 2004 disc Armed Love (also produced by Rick Rubin), there's less emphasis on confrontation and more on strong songwriting. However, this time the music is less predictable. "The Assassination of Myself" is a hook-heavy hybrid of The Rolling Stones, MC5 and Buffalo Tom, “Hiroshima Mon Amour” blends brash, tinny guitars, ebullient, ‘tude-inflected vocals and a charging beat and peaks with a bellowing harmonica solo and the nine-minute title track is meandering and psychedelic, anchored by a loping bass line, and bursting with flurries of Latin percussion, elongated organ passages, and bluesy supernova guitar.

As a garage punk protest band, The (International) Noise Conspiracy were pretty much preaching to the choir. Now, with songs that appeal on a mainstream level, their socialist provocation might actually make a difference.