Blind Johnny Smoke With The Many Voices - Something Broke.

 

Blind Johnny Smoke With The Many Voices - Something Broke. 2021 – CDr/download- Sonic Entrails.

https://sonicentrails.bandcamp.com/album/something-broke

https://spozsite.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/geekypoet75/

https://leannecooperauthor.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kizzywadepoetry/

http://www.brendanhawthorne.org/

https://www.caabpublishing.co.uk/store/Born-in-a-Black-Cab-p300018155

https://www.facebook.com/therevoltpoet/

https://www.melwoodendwriting.com/

https://www.facebook.com/aukipodcast/

This album had an immediate impact on me: I have to say that. It reminded me of being 19 and getting my first Crass album- Penis Envy. This was the most impactful intro to Feminism I could have had. The vocal delivery by Eve Libertine and Joy De Vivre was compelling and authoritative. How I thought, how I viewed women was impacted straight away after hearing that album. Crass were impressive, Anarcho Punk was great, but that album reigns supreme. The theme of Something Broke is the Pandemic, lockdown and how the government (mis)handled it.

It would be an injustice to give you a general overview of this album, so I will commence on a track-by-track review. For those of you who are in a rush – This is great, buy it.

The opening track is the first of two Spoz tracks Are We Nearly There Yet? This like all tracks has music supplied by Johnny Smoke, who is behind many releases on Sonic Entrails. Spoz’s delivery has a constant pace, making for a powerful opener on how we always remember the bad times. This piece talks about the ills of capitalism and how it (the fat cats) still benefits and gains during lockdown. Are We Nearly There Yet is a powerful opener and a powerful attack on consumerism.

Fodder is delivered by Angie Payne talks about how people in Key Work roles are effectively front line fodder, sent to work without any priority of vaccinations. The working classes kept in order. It discusses the false thanks of the Thursday applause – parts of the NHS being sold off is mentioned in other parts of the album. This track is a poison dart that hits the bullseye of its target.

Benedict Johnson is the voice of Crowns pulls the government apart and this is the track that really highlights the hypocrisy of praising the NHS whilst quietly selling it off. His Dalek delivery is outstanding and futuristic. Leanne Cooper highlights the incompetence of the government on Bozo Boris. What this highlights is how the actions of the Conservatives are masked by media lies and diversion tactics. It discusses the treatment of people on benefits and low wages; how they have been penalised over the years and ends poignantly by highlighting what a leader needs to be.

I love the repetition of Liar Liar Pants on Fire, this phrase is repeated throughout Andy Summers dialogue. There is a strong humour throughout this government dissection as the punchline becomes a taunt that can’t be escaped. This exposes a history of lies that can’t be escaped. Vulnerable stands out, Kizzy Wade highlights the importance of people as individuals regardless of vulnerability. These lines are amazing – The Vulnerable are people, the vulnerable are sons and daughters, the vulnerable are mothers and fathers, the vulnerable are brothers and sisters, the vulnerable are valuable, the vulnerable are activists, the vulnerable are role models, the vulnerable are the future. This piece leads my mind to the many actions against the vulnerable that have been ongoing since austerity cuts and dare I say – before. Vulnerable is outstanding.

Brendan Hawthorne’s The Last Transmission is themed around the real lack of leadership around Covid and lockdown. This functions as a timeline of cock ups, shifts in viewpoint, misinformation, and death. This is by far the most sinister track in the film, it is a narrative to a real-life disaster. Hawthorne’s narrative presents as very strongly as fact rather than an opinion and is very powerfully written.

Dark Ambient soundscapes build In Lies We Trust as AJ Ball’s words discuss the erosion of democracy and the effect it has on the wider community. Ball’s dialogue is considerably darker than the others. It is part buried in the sound, it isn’t boosted by humour, the voice is miserable and seems to present a clear picture of a bleak reality.

Sarcastic pointed humour returns for Spoz’s second dialogue Government Guidelines which really takes the piss out of the modern Conservatives. The playful sounds that back it tease the listener whilst reinforcing Spoz’s words. Racism is really taken to task throughout the guidelines, this is excellent. I find the Revolt Poet’s words to have a street edge on Politics Soup. His dialogue seems less academic/text informed, instead seeming to be driven personal experience and knowledge. The delivery is fast paced and persuasive. I found myself saying ‘Yeah, thanks, spot on” afterwards.

100,000 repeats and reminds us of the death toll, Mel Wardle Woodend is an excellent clued-up female voice throwing the facts of failure at us. This would sound great backed by a punk band in the 80s but backed by noise it becomes subversive and edgy as it takes the Tories to task. Hope brings the album to an end.

Over the years I have really enjoyed the material that I have received from Sonic Entrails, I have recent releases by Men with Mallets and The Mannequin Factory to be very enjoyable. The combinations of Noise Sounds and Spoken Word is hard hitting – the simple step of having a clearly defined concept empowers this album. Something Broke is by far one of the best albums I have received this year. Sonic Entrails always delivers. A massive well done to every artist who contributed to this album.

Army of One 2021.