The first record by the band BLACK PRESIDENT from Los Angeles has seen the light of day. The band has been around since 2004 and, with their name, raises the question of whether they already knew in 2004 that Obama would win the race in 2009. Or were they just trying to provoke in their homeland, as a black president was still considered impossible back then? The band denies any connections and explains that things don't necessarily have to get better with Obama. Critical tones in a time when many still regarded Obama as a messiah. Are the guys from BLACK PRESIDENT ahead of their time?
BLACK PRESIDENT had plenty of time to refine their songs in the first five years of their existence. This is evident in the thirteen tracks of their self-titled album. The songs are all highly polished. Whether it's about fast hits like “Ask your Daddy,” which unexpectedly and skillfully morphs from punk rock to an emo-screamo-pop-punk song, or the speed motor rock punk piece “Vacate the Vatican.” You can tell that the band has internalized all the songs, and the studio was well chosen. The songs have the necessary drive and are more dedicated to punk'n'roll than to the attempt to mix punk rock and soul, as the promo info suggests. This is probably also the reason why the band has found a home with the German label “People like You.” The label is now a guarantee for good punk'n'roll. However, BLACK PRESIDENT doesn't quite fit into the box. The vocals are too screechy. There are too many tempo changes, and it often sounds like a dirty emo band for adults. All of this may be off-putting, but the band deserves a chance. If you listen to the album multiple times, the band reveals more and more. The songs are technically great, and the lyrics fluctuate between politics, cynicism, and fantastic dry humor. Listening to the album is therefore something for both ears and not just for background noise. The band wants to be discovered. And those who discover them will have a lot of fun with them. Somewhere between The Casualties, US Bombs, and Born to Lose is the home of BLACK PRESIDENT. That’s where they feel comfortable. That’s where the band belongs. Coming soon on a European tour.
This article was automatically translated by AI.
