There's no denying that a politically righteous musical force like Asian Dub Foundation is needed more than ever right now. With the threat of conflict in Iraq looming and paranoia over asylum seekers and the threat of terrorism gathering daily, the return of ADF feels like the last minute appearance of the moral cavalry, here to crack skulls and set a few important facts straight along the way.
But while 2003 rages all around us, in ADF's world (musically at least) it's all gone very 1993. Opening track, 'Fortress Europe', may be fuelled by a timely sense of chaotic ire, Indian classical melodies being swept away by a relentless beat, but the heavy handed rapping and guitar is pure crusty rebellion: the hectoring attack of Senser, The 25th Of May and a thousand forgotten activists.
The obvious problem has been the departure of rapper Master D, the slight, lisping, ultra serious eye in ADF's infectious party bounce. On this album's most leaden, almost macho tracks ('Blowback', 'La Haine', 'Fortress Europe'), he's replaced by MCs who favour a domineering, sledgehammer style that feels like a severe step backwards compared to the lithe intelligence of yore.
The crux, as always, is context. With nu-metal having left a bad taste in many people's mouths, what was required from ADF wasn't a rap rock consolidation but a startling, genre-melting leap forward. More songs, in other words, like 'Power To The Small Massive' that manage to combine an inspiring lyrical core with an orchestral ragga percussive blend that sends excitement buzzing like electricity through your body.
To be fair, there is still more invention and passion on this album than you'll be able to squeeze from a hundred of 2003's great new hopes. 'Rise To The Challenge' matches the glorious 'Naxalite' for celebratory rebellion, '19 Rebellions' charts injustice in Brazil with sampled dialogue and subtlety, and 'Basta' blends in horns to fantastic affect before descending into sub-Rage stupidity. But there are also too many moments of numbing mediocrity for this to be a life-changing, epoch-defining record. Which, more than ever, is exactly what the world is crying out for.
