Supporting Caste

Propagandhi | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 10, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smallman
• ASIN: B001QVMJYM
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,744 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Legendary and unrepentant residents of humankind's ideological peanut-galery, Propagandhi, do not disappoint with Supporting Caste- a collection of boundless power and depth that is a 50,000 watt forward-thinking, tip-of-the-hat to the giants-- Voivod, Rush, SNFU, Sacrifice, Razor, Guilt Parade --that have gone before them. Launching crude rockets into the heart of the prevailing order with meditations that range in focus from the humane slaughter and consumption of non-vegans in an elaborate 18-course banquet (with wine pairings) to the apparent confusion of turning on the TV to watch a simple hockey game and having to wonder whether or not the Nazi's actually lost the war after all. Supporting Caste: 12 new laments, reveries and extrapolations from four visibly-aging prarie skids who still cannot believe that of all the gin joints, in all the galaxies, in all the universes, they had to be born on this one.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Come to the sabbat, satan's there!, March 10, 2009

By 

Mike Sheehan (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Supporting Caste (Audio CD)

Propagandhi's new album was the greatest experience in music since I got into the Beatles, since not even the Beatles music has made me hold back tears. Yes, you read that right, read it over again. Nothing has impressed me as much as this did on a first listen. If you've never heard "Potemkin City Limits," this will probably take you a few listens to get in to. Potemkin took me a few listens and "Supporting Caste" takes this sound further. Chris Hannah's guitar work is as impressive as always, and "the beavers" guitar work doesn't detract from Hannah's at all, which was definitely something I worried about. I feel as if I could've played "Potemkin City Limits" and "Less Talk, More Rock," in front of my mom and it wouldn't bother her, "Supporting Caste" would need some more tolerance and understanding, though not as much as "How To Clean Everything."

The album starts out with the incredible "Night Letters," which starts out with Propagandhi's most metal moment ever. I wouldn't have even realized it were them until the Todd starts singing and the song explodes in all its thrashy gloriness. For those STILL hoping for another "How To Clean Everything," you won't find it here, and really should've stopped expecting HTCE 2 after hearing "Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes." Either way, I almost feel like this album was made for me. "The Banger's Embrace," is a great song that brilliantly contrasts the darker feel of most of the album, with a more upbeat sound and positive vibes. I'm assuming this is what Chris was referring to in saying this album mixes PTC with "Less Talk, More Rock." The song's is especially effective after following up the incredibly thrashy "Incalculable Effects." "Dear Coaches Corner," is probably my favorite of the slower, more melodic songs on here. It's been stuck in my head constantly from the 2nd listen. The way he sings the opening words "Dear Ron Mclean, dear coaches corner," are sure to not leave your head. For the fans of the short and fast songs, which has sort of been a tradition since "Less Talk, More Rock," "This Is Your Life," won't disappoint. I do kind of wish Chris would sing one of the short ones though (Who doesn't like "Rio de San Atlanta, Manitoba?!"). "Come to The Sabbat," is an interesting hidden cover track at the end of "Last Will & Testament", that is a very unusual sound for Propagandhi, albeit a cover. It'd definitely be a fun sing-a-long live song. The only other gripe I have with this album is that I loved "Bringer of Greater Things," and "Cut Into the Earth" on PCL, but Todd's songs on these ones are much thrashier and I like the way he sings, it was surprising after his performance on Today's Empires. The lyrics on this album are less political overall, but that certainly doesn't mean they've lost their edge, the lyrics are intelligent as ever- still very impressive. The insert is jam packed with notes from Chris and links to organizations and causes, plus some quotes (including a frightening one from Hermann Goering, Hitlers 2nd in command, which you will immediately identify as happening today).

Bottom line is if you're a metalhead who likes punk at all, get this album. If you're really into punk rock and like thrash at all, you'll love this album as well. If I had to sum up this album in 2 words it'd be "thrashy" and "epic." I wouldn't call any track on this album filler but standout tracks would have to be "Night Letters," "Supporting Caste," "Human(e) Meat (The Flensing of Sander Katz)," "Incalcuable Effects," then the rest of the album less then a step behind.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Entry Yet, March 16, 2009

By 

Jack A. Hutchings (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Supporting Caste (Audio CD)

For those of you put off by their last album, Potemkin City Limits, fear not. I really disliked the sound of Limits, but it was, without a doubt, their most mature entry at the same.

Supporting Caste brings back the classic feel of Propagandhi along with the most thought-provoking lyrics I've heard in quite a few years.

A great album if you're into politically/socially charged punk/thrash/metal. Propagandhi has found the fine line between social commentary and preaching. And they aren't preachers.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's talk about some good guys, let's talk about Propagandhi!, March 30, 2009

By 

Erik in OC (Costa Mesa, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Supporting Caste (Audio CD)

Propagandhi exceeded my expectations with this one, and in my opinion, this is their best album to date. As always, it's not cookie cutter stuff, like Pennywise (who I don't dislike, but you get the point), and your enjoyment of the album will be immensely magnified if you look into what they are talking about. I'll try to leave out my personal views and actually review the album, but just so you know the last three books I've read are by Dawkins, Hitchens and Bob Torres. :)

"Night Letters" starts the album off with a metal sound, with Todd's vocal's following. You're not sure what to think but after a couple listens, it's pretty darn good, and the best Todd track to date, imo.

The title track is up next and it is definitely worthy of being a title track. In trademark fashion, Chris once again let's us know he's not part of this machine and we shouldn't be either. It's musical blueprint is similar to "A Speculative Fiction," but it's a nice improvement.

"Tertium Non Datur" can be strictly summed up with "rigid dichotomies" and a plea, of sorts, to not fall into that trap. It is a faster track and I'd say this is where Prop is at their best but every sound they attempt on this album is done well.

Next up, "Dear Coach's Corner," where Chris reads a letter (it's more exciting than that): here's one I really relate to because I go to a lot of sporting events. Do we really need a giant flag on the field, Marines marching with their rifles, blue angels flying over the stadium, and a general performing the coin toss? Unnecessary propaganda overload.

"This is Your Life" is a Todd track that would fit on any of the last 3 albums, which is not a bad thing at all.

"Human(e) Meat" is the catchiest song. I wasn't aware of Sandor Katz prior to this song. Substituting Michael Pollan would have made the theme even easier to recognize, but Katz is an effective sacrifice.

"Potemkin City Limits" is next and is beautifully written: "When the screaming began, Francis shut his eyes and felt the hand of inhumanity brush over him." "Where for 5 months he ran free and replayed his only fond memory, just a warm and distant dream of his mother's loving eyes upon him." Wonderful imagery and I may or may not have shed a tear for Francis.

"The Funeral Procession" as well as "Last Will and Testament" are both great and basically say don't wait for someone else to work for the change you want to see. Anyone can relate to the next track "Without Love," and it may be one my favorite Propagandhi songs ever.

To sum it up, "Supporting Caste" is a continuation of the sound from Potemkin City Limits (album), but while it was hard for me to get into PCL, Supporting Caste is a great achievement for the band. This is the point where many bands decline, but Propagandhi are at their peak. So if you were put-off by PCL, give them another chance and buy the album because this is one of the few casts worth supporting! (I'm not sorry for the bad pun)