When Asian Dub Foundation arrived over a decade ago they brought with them a stunning mix of indo-dub, raga, dancehall and rock. The results initially dazzled. Sure their default ‘right-on’ mode could irritate – but they had good intentions and the occasional dose of real political insight. Fast forward to today, and they’re looking to steady the ship after several by-numbers releases. They aim to do this by becoming more ‘widescreen’, but this seems to involve piling on even more instruments – the already ‘kitchen sink’ sound is now completely clogged up. They seem rudderless.
On the title track they inadvertently sum up their dilemma: “Too many ideas buzzin round inside my brain”. Thematically this problem pervades – what are they raging against? Lyrical clunkers are dropped constantly. On that same song there is a line to rival the cringeworthy likes of Brandon Flowers’ soul/soldier bit or Noely G slowly walking down a hall faster than a cannonball: “You can’t download the sea, you can’t download the sun, you’ll never download me.” A shame, as it’s actually quite a nifty little number. Better to start, as logic would dictate, with ‘A New London Eye’, which showcases what ADF do well. Buoyed by an urgency and winning hook, it’s an effervescent opener. There is the occasional tune elsewhere, the craft can’t be denied and Chandrasonic’s guitar remains their trump card, but it all sounds stale.
The freshness that made 2000’s Community Music so appealing has faded – it’s still dub but they sound out-of-step. Salvation comes, finally, in the form of ‘This Land Is Not For Sale’. Introducing a Latin twist, it is based around the landrights issue in Mexico and gives the group some direction. The acoustic intro and wistful female vocals introduce something new and point a potential way forward for ADF.