Raw Radio and Revolution

You've found an unusual treasure when you come across a band that sounds better live than they do recorded. State Radio happens to be just that kind of band. Luckily, these boys have finally made their great album - The Barn Sessions - an economical ten song masterpiece that includes all of their great songs in their original wonderful rawness.

Starting off with an obvious tribute to their reggae/ska revolution rock influences, "State I and I" sets the groove, while the vocals echo. State Radio follows "State I and I" with two of the most mosh-worthy tunes on their first album, Us Against the Crown. Fortunately, these songs are even more head-bangworthy than their counterparts (and, again that echo enhances the sound.) "Rushian" is one of my favorites off The Barn Sessions, because it translates with such pure live joy. "Camilo", on the other hand, feels passionate and painful. "Olli Olli" is the song that sounds most like Bad Brains and also, in my opinion, really showcases State Radio's talent.

I would never say that a song was missing from the collection, because the album plays so well, but the boys did decide to leave out my favorite song (after "Olli Olli") "Gunship Politico". This was really the song that made me love State Radio's music, and I'm not sure whether it's a good or bad thing that it was left off of The Barn Sessions. Besides the fact that the songs are played with more spirit on The Barn Sessions, the big difference between this new album and Us Against the Crown is the fact that every song on the new album could be a hit. Unlike Us Against The Crown, which called for a lot of song skipping, you can listen to The Barn Sessions all the way through without skipping a song and without any noticeable decline in song quality.

These boys have always had talent, and a revolutionary spirit that's at its strongest when they're banging out tunes for a live audience. Until State Radio plays a show in your town, The Barn Sessions is the closest to revolution that you're going to hear, and that's definitely not a bad thing.

If you want to catch a show, here are some State Radio dates:

04.18.07 Toad's Place New Haven CT
04.21.07 Trackside Teen Center Wilton CT
04.21.07 Green Apple Music & Arts Festival New York NY
04.26.07 Pearl Street Nightclub - Ballroom Northampton MA
04.27.07 Colgate University Hamilton NY
04.28.07 Avalon Boston MA
05.01.07 High Fidelity Rochester NY
05.02.07 The 8x10 Baltimore MD
05.04.07 Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia PA
05.06.07 Bamboozle East Rutherford NJ
05.08.07 Cabaret Montreal QC
05.09.07 El Mocambo Toronto ON
05.11.07 Metro Chicago IL
05.12.07 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland OH
05.13.07 The Icon Buffalo NY
06.22.07 Hurricane Music Festival Scheessel Germany
06.23.07 Southside Festival Neuhausen Germany