Jill Turner listens to Manu Chao's handpicked support band who deliver Protest Songs against a backdrop of Tropicalismo and Worldbeats. 'Rising Tide of Conformity', the debut album from London based Peyoti for President, will surely strike a chord with those who want more from life than the dog eat dog and “I’m so beautiful I’m worth it”, consumeristic and dehumanising society we find ourselves inhabiting in the so-called developed world. Peyoti for President is a very credible candidate will the musical and lyrical manifesto win over the hearts and minds of listeners ?
A montage of sounds makes a genius start to what unfolds to be an energetic and thoroughly entertaining album. A loudly ticking clock, a warning siren, the Sudor bass drum kicks in, we begin to get excited, the crowds start cheering and we’re off. Against a backdrop of tropicalismo and worldbeats, our presidential candidate picks up his guitar to strum and sing his way round the hustings. Sounding not too dissimilar to Jack Sparrow, of Black and Gold renown, as he reminds Mr Sleaze politician just who they really work for, in ‘Take A Leap’.
These days, no political rally or demonstration worth its salt, is complete without a samba batteria to boost its spirit of resistance. Its no surprise therefore, to
hear the familiar whistle and percussion put to good use in the infectious and carnivalesque track, “We the People” which could be the soundtrack to any Stop the War or G20 demo. Dance in the streets, learn the lyrics and sing along.
As the Peyoti campaign trail free wheels around the globe urging us to “see the world outside you”, it becomes apparent that their music, whilst having a strong Brazilian and Worldbeats input, is actually difficult to pin down to any particular genre. Take for example ‘Drifting’ which starts off in a gypsy flamenco style then seamlessly moves across Bosa Nova, Spaghetthi Western Mexicana and back again. In fact the whole album rolls along like this, switching styles using
vocal stabs urging you to vote Peyoti to occasionally break up tracks. Sound clips of politicians are also part of the mix and some vocals are transmitted through what sounds like old fifties microphones or megaphones. The montage of sounds, music and wisdom all contribute to the feeling of listening to a radio broadcast by Peyoti for President, whose checkout track, takes on yet another feel and gives the album a spiritual edge. In ‘Survival of the Fittest’ we wake up on the other side, in the Age of Aquarius to the sound of sitars, gospel choirs and psychedelic pop. War is a thing of the past and "governments no longer sedate the nation in order to drive the economy". The world is at last one.
.. this has every chance of being the soundtrack of 2009 in which greedy bankers and self interested politicians have been exposed
The album is entertaining from start, middle to finish with high energy music, complex layers and thoughtful lyrics which may not all be apparent on first listening. Peyoti for President pulls it off and this has every chance of being the soundtrack of 2009. The year in which greedy bankers and self interested politicians have been exposed and the only corporate alternative is another summer of so – called reality television.
‘ Wake Up Rise Up’, a straight up guitar and vocal track declares that we have a choice to be part of a long overdue 21st century uprising or sit back, relax and be controlled by television. Lyrics that demistify the album title, taken form the 1964 Daniel Kramer photograph showing Joan Baez and Bob Dylan standing in front of a poster, Protest – The Rising Tide of Conformity and as Peyoti says in “2009 it has never been more relevant” .
Rising Tide of Conformity
See the news release for more details.
