Desaparecidos
MariKKKopa EP
Saddle Creek (2012)
Sounds Like: Upbeat early 2000’s emo, post-punk driven by Conor Oberst’s socially conscious howls
Score: 9.5/10
Conor Oberst is no stranger to mixing music and politics. As Bright Eyes, he inspired equal parts support and contempt with “When the President Talks to God” (a pretty biting condemnation of Bush Administration hypocrisy). And while the first (and to this point, only) full-length Desaparecidos record Read Music/Speak Spanish, rarely elucidates specific political views, it drips with the same brand of righteous criticism. On the MariKKKopa EP, the political strain is specific, poignant, and (musically speaking) it may be the band’s best yet.
With a verse built on a driving bass line, a chorus that is essentially the crack of a snare drum, and soaring guitar distortion that is undeniably infectious, the appeal of “MariKKKopa” is visceral, delivering a measured musical assault. But it’s the lyrics that steal the show, as Oberst delivers a biting satire on par with the best in music, spitting out many of the phrases frequently heard from supporters of Arizona SB 1070 and like-minded anti-illegal immigration laws. He uses such intense imagery, that it’s not so much a question of politics, as it is a question of respect for human dignity, revealing the racial and xenophobic motivation at the heart of these ideas.
The second song on the EP, “Backsell,” rehashes the familiar punk trope of skepticism of mainstream music and the industry that controls it. It functions in that angular niche that Desaparecidos has dug out for itself in between post-hardcore and indie pop, featuring those same indignant vocals, distorted like desperation through an intercom. The lyrical skill is firmly focused on corporate music with lines like “Their cash cow killed himself so they’re looking for the next one,” and a precision that could only come from someone who’s seen these practices up close. The full-throated delivery and biting tone are enough to sell this song, never mind that it’s actually good.
With great songs and social justice as the selling points, what’s not to love? The band has matured musically, sound incredibly tight, and seem to have come back from their long hiatus with an even more intense focus than before. Activism looks good on them.
-Patrick Caddick
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