Danbert Nobacon & The Axis of Dissent – American Hate Affair (Single Review)

Today’s review features Danbert Nobacon & The Axis of Dissent’s new single “American Hate Affair” from their new album Kochtopus’s Garden—Now That’s What I Call Capitalism—the Musical.

Nobacan describes himself as a “freak music legend” … “mischievous political goblin” … “genre-hopping punk-folk thespian.” He has been “a member of British anarchist punk rock band Chumbwamba since 1982, has lived and worked out of Twisp WA since 2007, releasing a handful of albums with musicians from the Pacific North West under the umbrella name of The Axis of Dissent.” The new single “American Hate Affair” is an anti-government, anti-evil overlords protest song much in the style of the early 1960s protest song movement. I’m hearing a little Peter Yarrow.

So let’s have a listen …

The song sounds like an Irish folk song. It is definitely all about the lyrics – which are anti-Republican and anti-Democrat (for not standing up to the Republicans). An anti-capitalist system protest song. The song is ok, but not great. It reminds me a little of early 60s protest songs in the way it is structured and with the strong cadence of the vocals.

“An all American hate affair!” The message of the song can be captured in the repeating chorus: “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” Which is also how the song ends. The song is pleasant, but likely won’t get any radio spins. I do like the female backing vocals. However, I think the keyboards sound quite cheesy. I’d like to hear this song with just vocals and an acoustic guitar.

SCORE/Mediocre: While I like the lyrical direction of this protest song. I think the song’s simplistic chord and vocal arrangements set it back. The song has no really memorable musical or vocal hook. It’s a pleasant enough song, but likely won’t get any radio spins. But I could see it put on a compilation album of 60s like anti-war folk protest songs. Much love, Beth

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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