Mongrel - 'Better Than Heavy' (Wall of Sound) Released 09/03/09

This winter has been grim for too many reasons everyone is now all too familiar with. Yet, throughout history, a hard-up Britain has always spawned ground-breaking new music. A new wave or a new breed that takes the times away from being skint and forwards into a new era. ‘Punk’, ‘Madchester,’ and ‘the rave’ were all spawned during Britain’s darker days. In contrast, the relative prosperity of the last few years has seen everyone and his Nan get back together for the gravy train (at least The Verve were honest), yet fast-forward 2009 and there’s no gravy left. Enter Mongrel.

Formed in the Autumn of 2008 much has already been written about the alleged indie supergroup’s ‘revolution.’ Andy Nicholson (ex-Arctic Monkey’s bassist), Matt Helder’s (Arctic Monkey’s drummer), Drew McConnell (Babyshambles’ guitarist) and Joe Moskow (Reverend & The Makers) provide the music for John McClure (Reverend) and Lowkey (Poisonous Poets) to juxtapose the most delicate of ingredients; modern-day politics.

4 5 6 8 / 1 9 5 0 / You’re a number / You’re a barcode / Got your details all on file / A commodity to quantify

‘Barcode’ lays waste to Gordon Brown’s plan for identity cards before the killer bassline of ‘Lies’ takes over. The sheer contempt of McClure’s chorus (I don’t trust you anymore / Or what you’re saying) rolls back and forth into the carnival-like melody of the verse. The contrast is brilliant. So too in ‘Julian,’ which begins like a scene from Hannibal, it’s sinister and haunting for all of 30-seconds before McClure comes in again with all the calm-collectiveness of a young Captain Ahab. It is his ship after all.

Production throughout is smooth without being too fussy, as you would expect from Jagz Kooner (Primal Scream, Oasis). Nicholson, seems to be enjoying his return from his - forced or otherwise – stint in the wilderness and McConnell too, shines away from the white eyes of Pete Doherty.

But it is Lowkey – real name Kareem Dennis – that takes the mantle. A musician, poet, playwright and political activist (busy man) - his rhymes are tight without being claustrophobic with his statements clear. ‘The Menace’ is his canvas as he paints: ‘Religion’s are made evil, the way that we twist them / Ok, so now this warmonger claims to be a Christian / That’s false, see it if you only look / Money’s religion and TV’s the holy book.’

Politics and music is not new  - Dylan was and still is the greatest – and neither is the supergroup (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) but Mongrel aren’t daft here. ‘Better Than Heavy’ may be heavily politicised, but it’s eloquently done. Eight of the eleven tracks weight in at three and half minutes and all have a light sing/chant-a-long chorus to provide the live interaction. Indeed, as hard-hitting as some of the lyrics are, there is a balance against those with a wry smile attached (Just be glad I don’t sex-up your wife like a dossier).
Title track ‘Better Than Heavy’ is the pick. Beginning ‘In case you ain’t listening?’ it launches into a two-minute instrumental that falls somewhere between ska, reggae and rock and is undoubtedly a call to arms. McClure turns up after half-way through to deride the ‘Daily Mail’ and the result is superb.

A hybrid of rock, dub, grime and hip hop – ‘Better Than Heavy’ is nigh impossible to imitate and there lies the problem for revolution. One band – already lade down with extensive baggage – is not going to change the world. One band, with no other commitments, have got half a chance.