Culture

Otherwise untitled, this 6-track sample album from Auckland quartet Hangman attempts to pick up from where other funk-rock groups left off.

The hip-hop vocals are reminiscent of Zack de la Rocha, the Red Hot Chili Pepper-style basslines are faintly catchy, and the pornographic wah-wah scratching could even be compared to Kyuss’ frothier moments, but that’s a generous analogy. The lyrics can be fair and are politically charged (another nod to Rage), the songs vary enough as they plod along, the home production is unhindered, but the problem with these six tunes lies elsewhere.
 
Despite the CD only being 22 minutes long and each song taking a slightly different approach (ranging from sex-funk to a punky closer), after repeated listens the whole thing remains a forgettable blur. Everything is executed so predictably and soullessly, giving off zero excitement or emotion throughout. The vocalist raps off couplets like “your opinions, they matter” and something about “the rich get fatter”, expecting us to nod along deliriously to these pseudo-political soundbytes, but instead I was left with a sense of total detachment. Do they actually even care about what they’re singing about? And don’t just start shouting “BREAK!” over the top of all of this, that doesn’t disguise a thing.
 
This CD sounds as if the band went through a list of other groups they liked and mimicked every aspect of them in turn, hoping all of these elements would magically fall into place and create something comparable.
RATM-style vocals? Check.
Relentless funk basslines? Check.
Driving guitars? Check.
Disjointed, down-with-oppression lyrics that encourage drunken cheering and a sense of empathy? Check.
 
But what is the adhesive that usually holds these bricks together? A little soul.