The Suicide of Western Culture – Hope Only Brings Pain

The Suicide of Western Culture – Hope Only Brings Pain

Released on 14^th March 2013 through Irregular

Spanish duo strike home

One casual glance at the tracklist of TSWOC’s second album gives a good idea of what lies ahead. With titles such as Remembering Better Times, When Did I Become Everything I Hate and Love Your Friends, Hate Politicians, it doesn’t take a genius to work out, once one is aware of TSWOC’s origins, that this is a full frontal assault on the Spanish authorities. However, TSOWC also have the decency to look inside themselves knowing that they, perhaps, are as much to blame as the dogs of war at the top. Waiting to be opened like a fresh flesh wound, this body of work is blighted with woe, loss, disgust and regret. Yet throughout the ten tracks, one senses a glimmer of belief, a flickering flame held close not yet blown out.

An entire nation’s generation has been battered and torn. Many have sought refuge in new lands, leaving behind family and friends to start again, to live again. All that glitters has been sold; sold down the river whilst the people have been sold a lie. Fortunately, TSOWC have a paddle and they aim, with a little help from their friends, to help steer a path back to some kind of truth.

Not since the introduction of the Criminal Justice Bill and its ‘repetitive beats’ nonsense, has dance music had to be so politicised. Yet how can wordless music be so? The clue is in the titles, yes, but also in the plaintive synths, the clacking machinery and the marching beats. The drummer boys of yore were there for a reason and on the battlegrounds of the Spanish streets TSOWC sound the call to arms.

The titles are loaded, and loaded they should be. There’s no time for post-modern ambiguity when all should be singing from the same pamphlet. No time for questions, we want answers, we want heads to roll – so let’s roll!

Remembering Better Times sets the tone – it’s the soundtrack for a lost generation never mind jilted – before Hey Guys! I Know The Name of the Culprits bleeps and whirrs into motion and it’s rousing stuff. Run Lola Run comes racing into view; there’s menace in the air and the fight is on.

TSOWC are gunning for those that claim authority. With the knowledge of all that’s gone on and continues to go on (unemployment still at 26%), it’s a rallying cry and it works. Two Lights at the Bottom of the Ravine manages to evoke in sound what the title does in imagery. It’s Fuck Button-esque in its beauty, 65daysofstatic in its urgency. There are warning sounds echoing through that ravine, emitted by the very fortress that TSOWC wish to storm. The song cuts right through and takes no prisoners.

Having supported Orbital in the past, it’s no bad thing to be reminded of Chime when Love Your Friends, Hate Politicians starts up. There’s a moment for some playfulness that the Spanish do best, hinting at the humour that will get them through. No matter how bad it gets, the dark laughter will keep the flame aglow.

When Did I Become Everything I Hate may be light industrial but, not only is the title one of the most brutally honest, it yields a scream that captures the unutterable truth, seeming to ask “from despair to where?” without a syllable spat. Words are very unnecessary.

There is not a weak track to be found here and just when you think the hairs cannot be raised any more, El Cristo de la Buena Muerte (Christ of the Good Death) comes alive and it’s a straightahead pounding beat laced with sounds that would make The Knife proud and yelp for more.

The title track brings a much welcomed, big bouncy beat and a fused vocal that remains indecipherable but instantly speaks to the tribal within us. Goosebumps a go-go.

This is music to riot to, no doubt, but it will also move you and closing track Scapaflow should finish you off as it stirs the soul, its sweet sorrow etched into the groove. A gentle, much needed reminder that this life is your life and no one else’s. Man the barricades.

Viva la Revolución!

Viva la Revolución!

Viva la Revolución!

Viva la Revolución!

Viva la Revolución!