Musicolatry: Fight With Tools Review

by Karn Johri

(Ontario, Canada)

The Flobots are an alternative hip hop band that started originally in Denver, Colorado in around 2001. Their first album “Onomatopoeia” was distributed locally in the area, at which time they were still a fairly small band. In 2005, the only original member of the band, Johnny 5, restarted the band with the current band members (Johnny 5, Brer Rabbit, Mackenzie Roberts, Andy Guerrero, Jesse Walker, Joe Ferrone, and Kenny Ortiz) to create the album “Flobots Present…Platypus”. In their song “Handlebars” from that album one can pick out a few metal undertones as well the subtle messages of anti-establishmentarianism often common in punk genres.  Included in the introduction of the song is a violin being “plucked” much the same way a guitar would be, this innovation and creativity paid off. Their hit song “Handlebars” quickly gained popularity and brought them into the mainstream media spotlight.

Since then, they have gone on to produce a third album backed by media giant Universal Music called “Fight with tools”. In comparison to the last two albums contained much more politically inclined songs with a strong message. This interest in politics has not taken away from the band’s talent whatsoever. In their third album they kept their unique sound. They twisted together classic cello and violin melodies with extremely catchy beats as well as lyrics, (as their name seems to suggest) that flow as well as deliver powerful messages to defy oppression, reduce adversity and promote freedom and equality. Their sound can be compared to the once-maverick-now-old-news heavyweight Linkin Park who fused together the punk and metal genre with rap music to produce some surprisingly good music.

Keeping with their tradition of breaking tradition, their hit song “We Are Winning” features a song modeled on a Public Service Announcement with a few of their beats and melodies in the background. This unusual idea once again works to good affect again showing this band’s originality and innovation. As well James Laurie’s lyrics go very well to the beats of the song and he uses emphasis and a constantly changing tempo in his lyrics keeping his music interesting and non-repetitive. The strong lyrics in songs such as Stand Up, Rise and Fight with Tools encourage listeners to see the corruption and wrong doings of politicians and to rise up above negative media influence.

Amidst a sea of untalented, superficial rappers and lyrics promoting sexuality, violence and gang affiliation, it’s truly refreshing to see that there are still a few artists that produce exceptional songs that go back to communicate and demonstrate the original roots of the rap music genre-one that started out as a way to speak out against inequality and adversity. This band is truly one that is innovative and original and I for one, hope that many more people get to know this band and be inspired by their lyrics. Even if you don’t enjoy rap music, give The Flobots a listen; you might be pleasantly surprised.

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September 14 2008 06:34 am | Uncategorized

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