Reviews of Murder Music

Ste McCabe's on a collision course with controversy: the front cover of his second album jutaposes the Pope with nazi concentration camps, while the singer's dressed as Hitler reading the Daily Mail on the reverse. If the Daily Mail had a problem with Stephen Gately, they're gonna have a heart-attack when they hear this ranting, passionate, queer-feminist punk rocker.

All of which, of course, is fantastic. And McCabe isn't just dancing with risky imagery for the hell of it: his second album is an articulate attack on the homophobia inherent in organised religion, as well as a cheeky punk pop party record in it's own right.

His outrage at institutional gay bashing is clear from the opening lyric ("I got a mention in the bible, and now I'm a threat to man's survival") and as the record progresses, it becomes clear that this isa personal geurilla war for the singer: he samples and parodies right-wing arguments against homosexuality, setting them to quirky beats and then sometimes juxtoposing them with audio from nazi rallies. The approach to gays from both Islam and Christianity are held up and shown to be dangerous and unjustifiable.

This would all be pretty heavy if it weren't for McCabe's DIY disco approach and hilarious lyrics, making for a political punk album that paradoxically light-hearted. Hunt this remarkable album down before it gets banned - or McCabe gets shot.

Artrocker.

At a point in British history when homophobic attacks are on the increase, the leader of the BNP is appearing on the BBC, gay is a term of abuse in schoolyards across the country and 'pop' stars (and I use the term lightly!) are outing gay men in an attempt to smear them we need Ste McCabe, the one-man pocket-sized TRB for the noughties, and his angry new album 'Murder Music'.

Ste is his usual angry, passionate self sounding like Shelley (the romantic punk singer not the English romantic poet) fronting an electro punk Crass. Religion gets a bashing as does Mick Hucknall, jurors and the Pope.

While the polemic can get a little oppressive at times and you find yourself yearning for an old fashioned Buzzcockesque love song to ease the tension, you cannot but help be caught up in his righteous anger. Check out the short, sharp attack on arrogant young, and probably homophobic, chavs of 'I've Got A Big Car' and the gay punk disco of 'Militant Disco' which sounds like a gourmet soup made from the Pet Shop Boys and Crass.

Now more than ever before is the time to sing if you're glad to be gay!

The Devil Has The Best Tuna.

In the light of all things Moir-ish and homophobic attacks from Liverpool to Trafalger Square, it's a wonder why more gay artists are making political anthems. Ste's new sound has grown from power chords and shouting, to more Le Tigre-like songs and a ballad. Excellent!

Gay Times.

The bulk of the album is McCabe’s trademark blend of angry and witty queer pop-punk. Whether he’s raging about homophobic murders, enthusing about cleaning toilets for minimum wage, or taking the piss out of overly macho idiots who deafen themselves with loud music in souped-up cars, his words are always accompanied by a catchy tune, liable to both lodge itself in your head and coax you onto the floor come the next queer dance party. He’s got a winning formula, and his righteous anger strikes a chord.

The Skinny.

If you like punk, you'll love this. If you're queer and like punk, you'll sp*nk your pants. Ste McCabe is authentic and brilliant.

Boy George.