Big Rock Finish… reviews of independent music

Name: Jen Militia Album: Berlin Boot Camp Released: 2006 Members: Michael Dainjah - vocals and blackness J.Double - Guitar, keyboards, bass, percussion and booze Gord Pesst - synths, samples and beat jacking Christion - drums and hating Kyle Nova - Bass and dreadlocks Holla - Back up vocals and the finest of hooks. Website: www.jenmilitia.com Favourite Song: This is not a test (track 1)

Punk. Soul. Hip Hop. Is political a genre of music? Because I really urgently want to write political. Screw it. I’m adding it as a genre of music. It doesn’t even really take a politic major, or a political comedian like my friend Erik, to know that. If the cover art doesn’t totally give it away, I’m sure the song titles would have. It’s an interesting mix of music styles though I must admit. The cover art on the CD really doesn’t give away who’s in the band, so I was definitely surprised when I read that the creator of the band, or the lead of the band, or… well SOMEONE in the band, was originally from Trinidad. Just because I don’t meet a whole lot of people from Trinidad.

I…… really……. like the songs. Seriously, because I’m such a non-political person I had some reservations to reviewing this, thinking I wouldn’t understand any of it and would just end up not wanting to listen because it would have all been about how “the man” is keeping us down or whatever. But it’s not. It’s catchy, it’s got a hook. (I keep thinking about suspension when I write stuff like that) It’s got… it’s got a lot that makes me want to keep listening. Do you know how hard it is to try and look cool in front of your webcam while you dance in your chair listening to music through a set of headphones? Well that’s what I’m doing right now. Thank god the webcam isn’t turned on right now.

Some sort of rally, protest, or march. I remember being all opinionated when I was in high school because it got me out of afternoon math class. And in university because we somehow were convinced that marching up to some government house and chanting outside in the cold would make a difference in our tuition costs. If I recall… it didn’t. But this is really uplifting music, that would really suit these types of protests. Because while it never lowered tuition, those rallys always uplifted spirits. And it’s in the act of getting people together whether it be to protest the government or to listen to good music, it’s a good thing. Mind as well put the two together.