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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best albums of 2004, July 28, 2004
Chumbawamba is not just for sports venues anymore.
All those who only know their song "Tubthumping" (To refresh your memories: "I got knocked down, but I get up again" and the ever popular sung-list of "He drinks the whiskey drink, he drinks the vodka drink" etc.) owe yourself to investigate Chumbawamba's newest album, "Un". This obviously overlooked (based on the dearth of Amazon reviews and votes) collection is being ignored by those behaving as if there is no politically informed, intelligent but also groovalicious dance music being made. The band has developed their characteristic sound into something that treats serious topics with a light touch, a very good thing to do. "Everything You Know Is Wrong", "The Wizard of Menlo Park" and other tracks add to the discussion of cultural topics buzzing in the news and in modern life, using sound clips to great effect. It appeals to the revolutionary in me who'll join the revolution only if I can dance to it.
Another reviewer here rightly got the main point of the album as "Wake Up". It never ceases to amaze me how much we humans love to be unaware (but, you know, "pleasant" and "good"). And then we get to be "shocked" by events anyone with a library and an hour a day to learn about the world could generally have seen coming. I've recently noticed pundits commenting on how the upcoming elections may well come down to a vote on people's fears. In brief, I fear less when I'm more awake, and music like "Un" helps. Fear less, folks, and seek out Chumbawamba's eye-opening music. (review originally posted 7-29-94, revised, 9-16-04.)
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
There's nothing like it., June 6, 2005
I would claim this album is more catchy than "Anarchy" and "Shh!" despite being less "angry". Chumbawamba have created a record which is fantastic to listen to and sing along to whilst maintaining a very politicized message.
I would also contradict another reviewer who claims that the song "We don't want to sing along" is pro-Columbine killings. For a start, Columbine is only mentioned in the liner notes, whilst bullying is mentioned prominently in the song, and secondly, Columbine is only used as an example of the societal effect bullying can have. If you did want a controversial Chumbawamba position, they dedicated a track to Ulrike Meinhof of the Baader-Meinhof terrorist organisation on "Slap!"
Overall, this album is a huge improvement over the milder "Readymades", and cements Chumbawamba's new, more melodic style.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly a Rebel Code, June 30, 2004
This group had one big hit and I hope it was enough to finance all their big (important) ideas and ideals. I have never seen such a commitment to real truth in advertising. They believe in one world and promote it ruthlessly, with a really nice beat.
I have everything I have been able to find on lp, (including Jesus H. Christ), or cd and I am mainly missing only Danbert's Unfairy Tale. I would love to hear it. I have/love the 7" single, (sorry for measuring), "Bigger than Jesus", size queen? I am sure I could download it, but I don't do that, I am wary of virus issues.Back to this amazing new album. All the quality music and harmonies we expect are there, but the message I get is "Wake Up". Jack Kerouac tried to get the message across the U.S., many years ago, but few responded. Maybe this cd will not fall on deaf ears. My absolute favorite track of mine is "Everything you know is wrong". I work in a factory making auto parts and am often found questioning orders, issues, etc. This fits my situation to a tee and the whole missing WMDs, etc.... I also am a massive fan of Michael Moore and love the track, "We don't want to sing along", about the horrible Columbine tragedy. I cannot condone violence, but I cannot condone bullying, it is a sad part of my country's culture. I will never sing along. Thanks so much for the track "I did it for Alfie", this incident of a beheading of a Thatcher (Ms. Reagan?) statue was unknown to me, but a welcome bit of info as her American soulmate was laid to his rest. It is relief to know his body can do no further harm , hope his followers do not sanctify him too soon or ever, no one needs it. This is not so much a review as a rant, it reminds me of Lou Reed on the 1978 album where he says, "Are you political Lou?, Give me an issue and I'll give you a tissue, you can wipe my a** with it." Chumbawamba is the only band I know of currently that has significant content on every track. David Bowie said in 1973, "Until there was rock you only had god". Till I heard Chumbawabma I only had rock, now I have politco-art-rock. Dada-dada-dada,
Duchamp rules!
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