Sunday, Aug. 31, 2003 | 17:36
killing joke - 'killing joke'
by now, it's kind of redundant to talk about how good a drummer dave grohl is. i mean, he can play most any rock style, he has power but knows when to restrain it, and he usually finds the right pattern for each song. the new killing joke album is a case in point. if this album were another dave grohl show, it'd be pretty good. but all he does is play drums. he doesn't even get a writing credit. in fact, i'm feeling kind of lame as i realize that i've opened this discussion of the new album by a classic post-punk group with an analysis of their temporary drummer. the actual band is so much more deserving.
ok, sure, killing joke has been terribly inconsistent over its 22 years of angry danceable sludge, but when they’re on, man are they ever on. with their new release (their second eponymous album), they’re on again.
‘killing joke’ is being billed as the return of the original lineup, but they lack their original drummer (hence dave grohl’s guest appearance). furthermore, they have two bassists, one of whom (youth) probably won’t be sticking around. regardless, this is the return of killing joke to top form. they’re aggressive, relentless, and mad. jaz coleman is pissed off at the governments and global corporations of the world, and he wants to tear them all down. with muscular musical backing and spot-on production from andy gill, this album is everything it promises to be. anyone interested in godfathers of post-punk should get this, as should anyone big on protest music. there is simply no reason not to.
