Thievery Corporation - Radio Retaliation (2008)

I've been listening to Thievery Corporation since their 2000 album The Mirror Conspiracy, and I really enjoy their work a lot. As the years have gone by, there has been an increasingly political bent to their work, mainly around the concept of globalization. However, I felt that some of this was more suggested (i.e., in the photo book that came with 2002's The Richest Man in Babylon) rather than making up a big part of their actual music. At the same time, I was beginning to find a sameness and overly chilled approach in their music that was making new releases non-essential for me. For example, I checked out 2005's The Cosmic Game, but ultimately just bought the Versions EP.

The duo's newest CD, Radio Retaliation, is for me not so much a return to form as the Corporation taking their music to the next level. The chill tracks are still there, but they are offset by a surprising - and welcome - number of faster tempo, gritty pieces. In addition, almost every track is overtly political and addresses the pains of globalization head on. The unique CD package includes the lyrics on a huge poster intended 'to convey a transformative political and social message' including quotes, both insightful and controversial, from a host of thinkers and activists.

What's especially admirable about Radio Retaliation is that it does not substitute the fact that it's 'political' or 'making a statement' for the need to deliver great tracks. Too many CDs with 'messages' spend too much time being pseudo-hip and not enough making listenable music. Not so on Radio Retaliation. The Corporation delivers a surprisingly varied set from slamming jams like 'Mandala' and 'Vampires', to mid-tempo stuff like 'The Numbers Game', to the chill vibes the Corporation is so well know for ('La Femme Parallel'). The closer 'Sweet Tides' is like a dose of balm after the hard-nosed reality of much of the music and is a great way to close the CD.

This album is destined to go down as one of the best trip-hop/lounge albums ever. It's ambitious, well-written, impeccably produced, and delivers a hard-hitting message wrapped in great music and never gets preachy or whiny. Come to think of it, an endorsement like that means Radio Retaliation is one of the best releases of the last year, period. Get it!