Independence Meal

Album Review

It's difficult to come to a single conclusion on Independence Meal. It's clever and humorous, though not really a comedy album. Alix Olson's message is powerful — anti-George Bush, anti-big business, pro-environment, and desperate to lend a voice to the marginalized, she speaks for the true democratic spirit of America like Howard Zinn (who makes a guest appearance) with an art folk band instead of a typewriter. Still, it's not a Zinn or Chomsky type of political record. Olson is incisive, though: "You've gotta steal back the truth even from NPR, these days" ("Pirates") is a line that rings so true in an age where even the would-be leftist radio station seems ineffectually moderate. Unfortunately, Olson's breathy spoken word rants over spare guitar picking come off prickly and somewhat annoying. And it's not the words — Olson's message is amazing — but the delivery, which would fit quite well at a Boho open mike night but isn't exactly the stuff of rousing rock releases. Perhaps it's unfair to view Independence Meal as a rock or folk album, or even a political comedy record. The music seems amelodic, shambly, and a little dull. But taken as a poetry record, from the broken protests of the title track to the hot sexual politics of "Subway Lips," Alix Olson has a commanding presence that forces the listener to either pay attention or press stop.