Chris Vandalay, the mastermind behind The ChrisVandalay Project, released this song earlier this month as a "power pop protest tune". Regarding the "pop" element, we can't help but agree: the song, in its less then three minutes of duration, manages to settle in the listener's ears and I can totally picture myself humming it tomorrow on my cycling commute to work. Catchy, effective, memorable, all things that any pop artist aim for.
What about "power"? Here as well good ol' Chris keeps his word, and unleashes overdriven guitars, energetic keys on the fence between 80s and 70s, a solid rhythm section providing a steady backbone, with the warm vocals leading the whole thing forward. We don't know if Mr Vandalay has been inspired by these artists, but we found reminders of classic rock icons such as Bruce Springsteen and Status Quo echoing here and there.
The lyrics are very direct, there are no complicated methaphors or ambiguous wordplays, just a straightforward criticism against the current establishment and the lies it builds to protect itself.
Overall, while it might not be the next "Blowin' in the wind", we would say that this tune reached its goal in delivering its message, and as a plus it does it in the form of a nice jam that makes you want to kick the volume up a notch.