Consolidated. Anti- establishment heroes, oft- celebrated guardians of human and animal rights, defilers of the capitalistic propaganda machine known as Corporate America, visionaries for an egalitarian future. Unabashed politics, a quality I've always associated with the band since first hearing their scathing album, Play More Music. A substantial interim has passed, and not having followed the band's progression since, I was very surprised upon listening to Dropped to discover the band has become so... sexy. That's right-- though the band has always demonstrated a musical soft- spot, their latest offering boldly proclaims it like never before. It's time to dim the lights, spark the candles, and get funky.

According to political- punk gods, Propagandhi, Dropped was "Nominated for Best Alternative Rock Record of 1997 by the Association for Independent Music. No shit." Hardcore enthusiasts might be concerned that a mollified approach and critical recognition indicate a compromise on the band's part. Such fears are completely unfounded. True, many of the songs speak of love, a seeming paradox to the ultra- political firestorms brandished in the band's earlier years, but this is not love Whitney Houston- style.

The cardiac emotion addressed in these songs is a power, perhaps one of the strongest powers at humanity's disposal, and as such, can be regarded as the most important politic of all. Which isn't meant to suggest that the band doesn't still tackle politics in a more conventional sense. Child abuse is the focus of "Recovered Memory," a hypnotic string of rhythm backed by haunting anecdotes and statistics (e.g. "One in three girls and one in four boys will be sexually assaulted before they reach the age of eighteen"). "Why Doesn't He Stop" addresses the issue of domestic abuse, transcending the simple question of "Why doesn't she just leave?" "Schnitzel Boy" tells the story of an industry mogul, a purveyor of destructive contradictions and exploitative power. A clever indictment is cast when the song poses, "I love my life, why not? Everyone loves what they haven't got."

Backing the ever- thoughtful words is a musical mix calling to mind such varied acts as Enigma, Helmet, and Jimi Hendrix, the creamy- smooth vibe being the most dominant. Personally, I need a little more spunk with my radical rock, but the presentation is affecting in its novelty. The fusion of mind- provoking thoughts and hormone- producing sounds connects mind and body, providing strength and wholeness to the world- weary listener.

-Kevin Ruggeri