Racism – an affront to that which is intrinsic to identity. Racism, the third LP from affable miscreants UV Race, is an exploration of identity, a celebration of frontman Marcus Rechsteiner’s self-assuredness. Be Yourself, as the uplifting opening track commands.
It’s been a banner year for the Melbourne-based collective, recently venturing into the celluloid realm with Autonomy & Deliberation plus accompanying soundtrack. Racism was recorded in mid-2011 by garage Midas producer Mikey Young, with producer and band both venturing into new territory. Punk scorchers are balanced out by downtempo compositions replete with synth, handclaps, xylophones and acoustic guitar.
The cohesion on Racism is perfect. Garnished with callbacks both lyrical and musical, the record is a rich, enveloping package. The downtrodden Bad Egg riff blends seamlessly into the surprisingly resplendent horn-line of Gypsy King, the cry of “Ain’t life a pig” recalls the earlier proclamation of I’m A Pig.
The bounding Life Park could well function as the fabled Catcher In The Rye, with the protagonist leaving his wife and kids to take up a life in the park protecting the “ancient old” trees. Family, or at least the traditional family form, is abhorred throughout. The simple word association of Nuclear Family – “I wanna drop a bomb on the nuclear family” – builds into the delightfully crass – “I wanna wipe my chode on the nuclear family, I wanna blow my load on the nuclear family”. Raw Balls is a venomous belter that tears itself apart while pointing out that your mum “looks like Spock”.
The subject of Unknown Pleasures is a cool motherfucker, an outlaw suckin’ on ciggies while pulling chicks, compounded by guitarist Al Mountford’s effortless vocal delivery. Album closer Memenonome is an experimental exploration, a climax of the album’s psychedelic guitar flourishes.
Sophie Says is a breakup song of sorts, but Rechsteiner deftly navigates the subject to introspection rather than admonishment, all with a backup chorus of reason.
There is a moment of resolution during the film Autonomy & Deliberation, where after a nonstop barrage of in-jokes, bad dubbing, and fanciful idiocy, the fourth wall is broken as Marcus candidly expresses what UV Race means to him. It’s an escape from the mundane – in his case, the confines of his hometown of Warragul. It’s explicit sincerity, a strain of which is found throughout everything UV Race produce.
UV Race are not normal. UV Race are better than normal.
BY LACHLAN KANONIUK
Best Track: Life Park
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: High Voltage AC/DC, Henge Beat TOTAL CONTROL
In A Word: Genius
