The Boxer Rebellion: Union

Union. The guys sure have come a Long Way(…) since their “Exits” days. It’s now 3/4 years later, and they’re back with a new perspective, evident in their more fresh, raw and edgy sound.
Back in January 2006, an 8-track album sampler was released for download on their website for fans, giving us an insight into what the second installment would hold. I knew it’d be good, but this good…?
The band have been on a grueling journey if you research into their history; medical mishaps, being dropped my labels etc, it’s so pleasing that they have “Union” to show for all their troubles. Journey is an essential aspect to The Boxer Rebellion (TBR), after what they’ve been through, and the places they take you to with their music, you can tell this yourself with their latest release. A lot of people, mainly the fans, including myself, who’ve stuck with them from the beginning, were worrying about just when we’d be able to get our hands on the second album, and if it would actually happen. But I’ve never been more pleased to see TBR come out on top. Last year their track “The Gospel of Goro Adachi” was featured in the BBC’s hit TV show: “Long Way Down”, and since this new release, TBR have become I-Tunes’ “Single of the Week: with “Evacuate” and have reached the Top 3 album positions on I-Tunes also, both in the UK and the US.
I may be bias, what with this being the fifth year of me knowing and relishing the band, and it’s not something I usually do as a writer/blogger, but to fully do the album justice, and to appreciate it’s entirety, I shall now go on to evaluate each track and vital element of “Union”.

Flashing Red Light Means Go.
This is a stonker of a song to open an album with. There’s massive, massive drum pounds which are as intense live as on record, and was originally recorded with female vocals from The Magic Numbers, and is an uplifting footnote to begin listeners on their own journey of The Rebellion’s musical offerings. It holds a truly, truly, magnificent chorus with Nathan’s wistful vocals as the track washes over you, whilst the middle break-up of the song, prepares you for the more fuller songs later on. Reeling guitars and unforgettable drum beats make a statement that they’re here to stay as a group, and they’ll stick to doing what they do best; making superb music.

Move On.
First heard on the ’06 sampler, it was always going to be interesting to hear how this one would turn out. This one I think could be a potential release with its welcoming strumming, firm lyrics and all round catchy feel. “Damage is done…Don’t stop” lead singer Nate Nicholson belts out, and that’s exactly what the band did when something stood in their way, they didn’t stop. It’s striking in its simplicity, and whilst not being as complex as “Semi Automatic” or “Gospel”, “Move On” is another poignant stand of themselves and exactly what they did, they faced their demons and moved on, seeing them make the extraordinary “Union”. The ending of the track remains resounding, impactful and tasteful.

Evacuate.
“Evacuate” was their latest single to be released before the unveiling of “Union”. The sound is HUGE, and for that reason and that reason alone, it’s one of my favourite tracks off the album, and in fact of TBR’s. The colossal crashing and gigantic opening guitar riff which penetrates the whole song, immediately pulls you in and it all becomes sexy. The yearning in Nathan’s voice: “You don’t have to lieeee….. Wait….there’s nothing left to waste”, makes it an enigmatic and addictive listening experience.
Deep, relating lyrics and a consuming sound, this song could not be better if they tried; it couldn’t be better produced, better performed or better re-written. This song IS perfection, especially the middle instrumental when all is quiet and Nathan lulls: “We see each other from the corners of the room” to lustfully pull you in, as the song unites with your heartbeat, when all of a sudden…BOOM! That massive amazing riff…

Soviets.
Acoustic. “Soviets” reminds me of the days when they were starting out, e.g. their earlier gigs when they’d perform tracks such as “The Opening” and “The Rescue”, with Nathan on acoustic guitar, and his trusty tambourine and keyboards would be nearby.
Again, “Soviets” is simple but carries a strong melody, especially by means of the lyrics, once more making reference to journeys…”Heading Westwards towards the sun…”, it’s a calming and neutral track letting the singer lead and then 2 minutes later there’s a collaboration from the rest of the band, as they all pull their instruments (as a Union) to become one and make that great impact they’re always capable of.

Spitting Fire.
Yet another one from 06’s glimpse into album 2. I was always really intrigued to see how this one in particular would turn out. It briefly made an appearance on the band’s MySpace page, but here, it’s the finished article and it is fan-tas-tic! The vocals alone do it for me, then there’s the flirty electric sounding bass along with the positive feel which gets your head nodding, and your feet a’tapping; another would-be release.
“I spit fire…on lovers and liars…you don’t believe me and I have found it easy” – this chorus accompanied by the background music is heaven and if you don’t believe me, listen to it for yourself. Hearing “Spitting Fire” is another live gem, just the conviction in the words, and the bass which is working overdrive gets you over and over again, until you just can’t help it.

Misplaced.
I think this is Union’s version of TBR’s: “We have this Place Surrounded”. Seeing this live, and having heard it before, it’s moved me to tears on more than one occasion because of its beauty. Its sweeping guitar intro, the hushing sound of the vocals, and the feeling of wanting, needing and loving is all there. If you’ve never been in love before, listen to this and you’ll know it. The feeling of heartache, conflict, and “make up” is sung of, pulling on the heartstrings at the chorus; you can’t listen to it without thinking of someone special.
“Slow…right…down”, i.e. stop your heart pounding as you’re hearing this magical sound, “Slow…right…down” as you’re thinking of your “lost love”. Basically, when it all goes wrong in the love department, this song would be the soundtrack to your days.
It’s graceful, haunting, and the true beauty conveyed here is that it’s a very “human” song, it’s human in the fact it deals with human emotions and feelings we can all relate to at some point or another.
The climax of “Misplaced” with “Slow…right…down” continuing on as the music intensifies, provides the effect of a collage/flashback of thoughts, emotions and wonder. For anyone who thought music couldn’t possibly be this engaging or thought-provoking, listen up.

The Gospel of Goro Adachi
The hit taken from the “Long Way Down” soundtrack. For me, this is the one that is the most outside of the box for TBR, sounding somewhat electronic, robotic, or a better word may be detached, which is ironic as Nathan sings:”found ourselves surrounded by things getting closer”. From the atmosphere and the sound of fading in Nate’s voice, you wonder where this is going to end up: “constant questions from the start”.
Embracing it, we then get layers of vocals which is all the more haunting when compiled together. It is different, but it’s a new concept to TBR, they’re showing their versatility and room for new ideas, this could be an insight into the future of the Rebellion, however, it’s proof that they’re far from dying out.

These Walls are Thin.
My God! It’s a golden oldie! An old B-Side brought back to have an honorary place on the album, and fans have welcomed it with wide, wide open arms, and new listeners are sure to love it too. There’s some amazing guitar picking and super feisty lyrics: “So here we are…”; yes here they are, and they’re sure to stay if they carry on with luscious music like this. It’s another catchy foot-tapper, “satisfaction forever guaranteed” is sexily played out and he’s damn right, whilst other lyrics: “Misguided casualty always more concerned with the TV”, may not necessarily be meaningful, but all the same it’s provocative and pleasing to the ear.

Forces.
Now this is unbelievable. It’s even unconceivable, it looked for a moment in Boxer history that “Forces” would be a long lost memory, but it is so much more. Forces was first played at a London gig back in 2005, and before playing it, the band announced that they had been dropped off their label, after just having released their debut album: “Exits”. At the time, the only way to listen to “Forces” was to watch a bad-quality mobile phone video which was uploaded to the band’s website, but it stood as a sign. A sign that they’d stick around regardless of being dropped. “Forces” was many times asked to be revived by the fans but over the past few years it became somewhat of an urban legend, so we were stuck with this video, but the intense sound was always recognizable. I think “Forces” for all the right reasons, has now replaced my former Boxer favourite: “We have this Place Surrounded”, as it’s so refreshing and satisfying to see this defiant track have a place on “Union”, (and for reference it’s a very good driving song!).
Strong riffs, huge sounds and then the roaring of the drums, with the “ahhh” of Nathan, opens up to the dark and lingering lyrics that are at hand. It is dark, it is haunting once more, and it definitely is sexy.
“FORCES! DARK FORCES ARE EVERYWHERE!!!” The chorus is as impressionistic as the first time I heard it, you won’t get it out of your head, or the band. It’s amazing to hear it in completion, it’s sexual and it’s dark and overwhelming, but “Forces” was always destined to make a statement.
After all this commotion, it softens halfway through, with lighter guitars from Todd Howe, and you’re told to “contain yourself”, then comes in the swinging tune, more bass plucking and furious drum beating. There’s no denying that this is a crafted masterpiece.

Semi Automatic.
More of what we like. Huge, stunning indie/alternative rock, and one of the older songs meant for album 2, the lyrics once more are harsh, a bit sinister, talking of “guilt”, “suffocating” until it all hits a sonic explosion, whereby 8 seconds of quiet leads to an orgasmic guitar solo, carrying the song and the listener far away into the world of The Rebellion.

Silent Movie.
The closing tracks on both Boxer albums have a tendency to be epic-esque and trangquil, possibly as a breather after the journey you’ve just embarked on with them. Light notes and light lyrics, it’s graceful and charming, the song does later progress, but still, and more importantly it remains a piece of art. A piece of art; a piece of music (as a whole) which you can forever marvel at.

In all, the three main concepts to come across from “Union” are: beauty, journey (for the fans and band), and accomplishment; they haven’t faded away. As for the third time round, they’ll hopefully be more commercially established so we can see the album on shelves, however, it must be remembered that they’re a fairly underground band and in that respect they’re close and loyal to the fans. With some London and European dates lined up, hopefully more of a UK tour will be in order ton celebrate their success and give them much more well-deserved praise.