MALAKWA – Street Preacher
Release Date: February 25, 2011
Label: Alfa-Matrix
Website: malakwa.com
Review by: Michael Faries
Out of the depths of Marseilles, France, charge the self-described ‘digital punks’ MALAKWA with their sophomore effort, Street Preacher, an in-your-face electro/punk collage. Now signed to the label Alfa Matrix with the likes of Unter Null and Front 242, MALAKWA may finally get the exposure that they deserve.
It might be necessary right off the bat to describe the vocal sound of the band, seeing as this might make or break the listener’s opinion of the band anyway. Think: the shouting and enthusiasm of Atari Teenage Riot, with a more accessible and assembled club-friendly approach.
The album’s opening track has a simple instruction for you, and is entitled as such: make up your own rules. This track-like all of the subsequent tracks-is full of energy and impolitely provides you a litmus test in the form of MALAKWA’s distorted-yell vocals. “Make Up Your Own Rules” harnesses some of the charm that was offered to us in the miniature Electronica movement of the mid 1990s, and makes a great opening track.
Judging by all the time allotted for remixes of “Monster” on this dual-disc release (one on the first disc, and nine on the second), MALAKWA seems to have some confidence in the track. The original version has a nice electro/industrial feel and is quite anthemic, but not in need of ten remixes. The fault of the song is the generic guitar (or possibly machine?) sample that is sprinkled throughout not just this song, but the entire album. Actual guitar playing would’ve corrected this lapse in production judgment.
“Get Up Now” is a nice blend of electro, breakbeat, and slight undertones of drum and bass. MC Charles Manson makes an appearance with MALAKWA in their attempt to get the listener up and dancing. Their attempt is successful, regardless of how ridiculous-especially in my case-said dancing looks.
The highlight of Street Preacher comes in the form of a song entitled “In Nothing We Trust”. That pesky generic guitar sound again pokes its head out, but can be sufficiently ignored as soon as the song’s real treasures are revealed. Fast-paced, alternating synth sequencing and drum and bass beats mix beautifully before actual guitar comes along and ices the cake. “Bravo,” says my inner drum and bass junkie.
The last two songs worth noting on Street Preacher, “Break the Silence” and “Ride Fast”, are slightly slower-seeming than most of the tracks on this album, but the vocal noise creates an excitement that is able to keep the high energy going strong. Regardless, and-quite possibly-because of, the obnoxious vocals, these songs are both catchy and will not let you down.
Street Preacher is a nice mix of too many genres to mention, so just go check it out for yourself, and give it more than one listen-if at all possible. It seeks to shake your ass and destroy your eardrums in one fell swoop. If my skinny frame had an ass to speak of, it would be shaking and I would not be able to hear you.
