Review: Steve Lieberman - Diaspora; A Folk/Punk History Of The Hebrew Nation

Steve Lieberman - Diaspora: A Folk/Punk History Of The Hebrew Nation
2009, Steve Lieberman

The Gangsta Rabbi is at it again, this time with a musical telling of the travails of Israel and her children on Diaspora: A Folk/Punk History Of The Hebrew Nation. Diaspora is a highly interesting song cycle; based in Lieberman's trademark Garage sound, listeners will be extremely lost without a lyric sheet. Whether it's the vocal mix or issues of diction, I found it next to impossible to decipher the lyrics. Lieberman goes a bit further than just detailing the struggles of Israelites around the world; he assigns blame. Lieberman essentially chalks up all of Israel's struggles to sin; implying that each time Israel is separated from her land it is because her people weren't following God's will. Lieberman incorporates the flute into many of the songs here ala Ian Anderson, as always, and even plays with electronic instrumentation from time to time. Midianites comes across as a bit of cultural trash talk to all the peoples over time who scorned The Hebrew Nation but who found the end of their own cultural lines while Rachel's children continued on. Meri'bah-Kad'Esh caused me to chuckle a bit; it's a song about being freed from Egyptian dominance and sounds something like a polka.

The Fall Of Jerusa'lem introduces electronic instrumentation along with flute in bass in what becomes an interesting if slightly messy sonic stew. 4th Diaspora: The Endtime makes explicit what Lieberman has implied throughout; Israel constantly fights for her own survival because of her own sin, yet remains God's chosen people. The album closes out with For The Children Of The Ga'Za, reaching out to the innocent victims of Israel's on-going struggle with the Palestinians, bemoaning the deaths of innocents on both sides along the way.

Lieberman never fails to be provocative and straight-forward in song. Diaspora is no different. Lieberman tells stories drawn directly from the Torah colored by his own personal insights and beliefs. The result is a historical perspective with minimal political shading that is compelling for its willingness to share the blame. Diaspora is an interesting listen, but it is truly Lo-Fi and may just not fly for some listeners. Nevertheless, Lieberman is always worth a spin.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Steve Lieberman at http://www.gangstarabbi.com/ or www.myspace.com/gangstarabbi. You can also read reviews of Lieberman’s previous CDs Overthrow The Government and Psych Ward. You can purchase Diaspora or any of Lieberman’s other 15 albums by emailing him at SteveLieberman@gangstarabbi.com.

Review: Submerged - Violence As First Nature

Submerged - Violence As First Nature
2008, Ohm Resistance

Submerged is one of the most in-demand Drum N Bass artists in the world. Having played with the likes of Bill Laswell, John Zorn, Dr. Israel and Mike Patton (among others), Submerged is practically royalty in the Drum N Bass world. Aside from being a resident DJ at Konkrete Jungle NYC, Submerged has played clubs all over the world. Submerged issued their latest project on CD in 2008; Violence As First Nature is a 2-CD collection of classic collaborations or remixes of songs from the Ohm Resistance Label mixed with three new songs. None of these songs has even appeared on CD before.

The album opens with the three new tracks: Consciousness, A Bad Time For Empire and Homicide Bomber. Consciousness mixes ambient passages with repressed Drum N Bass runs that end as precipitously as they started. A Bad Time For The Empire plays with tempo and rhythm variations in a constantly shifting yet stubbornly relentless barrage of beats and sounds. Homicide Bomber has a surreal feel to it, almost like trying to walk around under water. The frenetic pace and manic rhythms are almost too much to cope with. From the tracks previously released only on vinyl, I Love You But I Chose Darkness is a personal favorite. The fuzzy electronic effects interspersed among the rhythmic phrases offer a surreal funhouse feel. Let Your Body Take Control is absolute madness. Don't pass through without giving this track a listen. Just don't lose your mind. Other highlights include Project Two, Cop Killer and Human Camera.

The second disc is mixes released by Ohm Resistance featuring artists such as Impulse, Temulent, Lethal, Khanage, Imaginary Forces and Silent Killer. At 28 tracks its too much to go into here, but suffice it to say that if you liked disc one you'll love disc two.

Submerged hits us up with Violence As First Nature as a celebration of the continued success of the Ohm Resistance label. Featuring a number of tracks from Submerged as well as mixes done with or by some of the most impressive names in electronic music (Bill Laswell and Scorn, just to name two). If Drum N Bass is your thing, then you've come to the right place. Submerged keep their electronic creations vibrant by constantly mutating the beats, sounds and rhythms. Violence As First Nature is both an exciting look backward at material not previously available on CD, but also an open window on the future of electronic music.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Submerged at www.myspace.com/theonlywaytogoisdown. You can purchase a copy of Violence As First Nature at Amazon.com.