The Social Threat – Protest Songs

Based on the accompanying insert poster, the members of Alberta political punk act The Social Threat not only care about their message, but are also out to convert the complacent and shove their ideals the faces of their oppressors.  Their message of activism rivals protest levels, commanding that their oppressors back down in the same way Anti-Flag has never strayed from denouncing government policy.  For all these reasons, the title Protest Songs couldn’t be more fitting for their debut full length.

Opening with the rattle-bang beat of “This Oppression,” The Social Threat denounces common enemies of freedom and trumpets shared resistance.  “Stop Taking Lives” elevates the call with sweeping woahs and steady, authoritative repetition of the track title.  Their conviction shines through in the plea to those in power to “stop the killing” moments later on “Blood Under The Bridges,” with their unifying chants empowering songs like “Lets Stand Up” and “Call To Arms.” Admittedly lyrics might not be their strongest suit, but the power that they speak to heightens their reception.  Unfortunately the same can’t be said about their sound at large.

Their most notable flaw rests in the syntheses of their energy.  Vocalist Wade Hodgman gives each song his all, as do his bandmates.  Consequently, Protest Songs suffers from a case of too much at once.  In other words, the early rattle bang of “Sayonara” is echoed far too often in later tracks like “Broken Bones.”  Put simply, the trio has yet to establish a sense of pacing.  Similarly, a lack of instrumental range prevents the band from separating their attempts at anthems like “Bust Or Fold” from the high energy of intended screamers (aside from the thirty second “Break Out”).  Heavy guitar distortion remains a constant rather than used on an as needed basis, which along with Hodgman’s gravelly tone present an exhausting combination.

So Protest Songs presents itself as a bit of a tossup, commendable in spirit but lacking in tact.  It’s a flawed but listenable album that hints more to The Social Threats’ looming potential than to the band’s current abilities.  The trio is heading in the right direction, but they’ve yet to make their destination.