Given the rise in power of the right since the beginning of this decade, there's nothing like a leftist power duo to fan the Flames of Discontent (http://www.flamesofdiscontent.org). Sure enough, here they are, vocalist/guitarist John Pietaro and bassist Laurie Towers, hailing from the broken heart of 9/11, New York. However, those expecting Billy Bragg-ish socialist acoustic alternative will receive something refreshingly different.
From the film noir-styled Cold War album cover and its B-movie title, "Revenge of the Atom Spies," the Flames of Discontent aren't afraid of having a little fun poking at the uber-serious conservative crowd, especially those who are so afraid of the written word that they want to hold congressional hearings to limit the freedom of speech. The levity displayed in the CD packaging reveal a group that is confident in itself, keenly aware that their incandescent lyrics will sting a Republican Party ear or two yet unafraid of the absurdity of being punished for striking an opposing position.
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But go beyond the blue-collar messages in their songs and you will find a band that wants to produce solid rock and roll as well. In this case, the Flames of Discontent have a pretty obvious obsession with the late '50s and early '60s. On "Stung Right," Pietaro sounds uncannily like vintage Elvis Presley (not Costello, which is probably what you were expecting to read), especially with the track's robust rockabilly beat. "Sixteen Tons" explores jazzy textures while "September's Divide" and "Ballad of the Big Wind" feature the nicely strummed folk rock that you thought you'd only be hearing from this couple.
The most engaging cut is the title track with guitar riffs sharp enough to cut the U.S. deficit with.
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