CD Review

Title: Can’t Scream Loud Enough

Artist: The Feminists

Publicity: Killbeat Music

Released: 2008

3 Stars

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

I can remember a first year University course where the Political Science professor declared he was a feminist. The students who had that fresh-out-of-High-School looks plastered on their faces sniggered at the remark. The professor further expunged in an exasperated tone ‘men can be feminists as well.’ It was an eye opener for some and a dropped course for others. I understood what he was saying, and so too does the Vancouver based rock group The Feminists.

Most of the vocals are contributed by songwriter Keith Greif with backup vocals by Allyson Mara. If Billy Talent existed in the 1980s, they’d sound like The Feminists. The music is edgy, fluid and very cutting edge. The songs each have a great appeal within themselves, but the album has a clear and distinctive sound that unites the individual tracks into a distinguishing whole. Can’t Scream Loud Enough is the follow-up to their 2005 album She Could Be, and the third album they’ve created overall as a band.

Bands like The Feminists concern me as they have a lot more talent than many of the bands on major labels, but they aren’t smartly packaged enough to be noticed by a major label. Also, the name, although my Professor would approve greatly, and it does make a resounding and important point, will work against making them a band on a larger scale with a greater appeal.

If The Feminists are happy where they are, they will enjoy the success that Can’t Scream Loud Enough will afford them, and they will satisfy a most likely dedicated following, but if they want to reach the greater heights their music could take them to, then they will need to sharpen up their image and ‘curb side appeal’ to a greater audience.

Side One

The Beginning Of The World

21^st Century Ghost

Hail Hail

Anihilist`s Song

Goodnight Irene

Side Two

How To Kill A Country

No One Gets Out Of This World Alive

Because Why

Have We Already Gone (Over The Edge)

Manhating