Thievery Corporation’s Radio Retaliation – The Review
There is a key thing you need to know about Thievery Corporation’s new record, Radio Retaliation: It. Fucking. Rocks. You’ve already seen photographic evidence of their awesomeness at the 2008 Voodoo Music Experience, now it’s time to talk about their music.
Music festival staples, DJ’s, and production masterminds Eric Hilton and Rob Garza brought the noise, brought the funk and part of what makes their project always evolving and fantastic, brought in a fresh crop of fantastic collaborators. It’s called Radio Retaliation, and it is available in stores now. Buy it. Better yet, buy it from your local record store if you still have one from which to purchase. And if not, I guess buy it from The Man? Just…buy it. Buy it and listen thoroughly before you attribute them to the soundtrack of Zach Braff’s coming-of-age serio-comedy. Wait…anyways.
Thievery Corporation’s music has been a staple of what I attribute to the soundtrack of my “Noel Going Out In New York City During Her 5-Night-A-Week Club Phase, 1999-2003, Heaviest In 2001-2002.” Their past efforts are fantastic, and part of what made them fantastic was that they bordered on, for lack of a better term, porn. It used to be for making out and grooving in a lounge, but unlike other artists in the “genre” it is smart and well-executed with good voices, good horns, and good beats. Either I grew up (perish the thought) or I really started listening to lyrics, but 2008’s Radio Retaliation kicked it up more than a few pegs. We hear in ‘The Forgotten People’: “I’m the president of the shattered government, the grand governor of the federal reserve, public enemy of the society….” I am a fan of not holding back when it comes to art.
The record starts you off with “Sound The Alarm”, which begins, literally, with an air raid alarm, and drops you into a reggae-tinged party track. Yes, the album goes deep into lyrics to make you think, (this is kind of the point…) but don’t worry, it’s still some sexy music. This is a record to have on hand for when you throw a party. I peeled my winter coat off before I started writing this piece, and in listening, the record made me wish that I were wearing a sarong while barbequing and mixing margaritas. Subsequently, this is also the kind of record to have playing at home when needing to be inspired to make a change to better your life, be it to actually turn off the gaming system once in a while (I know, I know) and consider the state of our union, or to be playing in the background for inspiration as you draft the next great American novel. Or you can do what I did and dance around in your underwear while singing along, punctuated by Facebook chat. “Blasting Through The City” is a beautiful reggae tune dripping in delicious electronic reverb. The record leaves us with “Sweet Tides”; which is a fitting end; less air raid, more ethereal vocals, and talk of love.
It is fitting that Washington D.C. is where Eric and Rob live and work. With President-Elect Barack Obama’s globally aware worldview and upcoming inauguration, it makes me hope that one of Obama’s bright young advisers has considered the option of Thievery Corporation being the in-house party band for the festivities that night.
Thievery Corporation’s “Radio Retaliation” is out in stores now and available on www.eslmusic.com
