Review:

on 2008-09-28 MusicDish Said:

Politics, Diversity and Self-Reflection: A Review of Polarity/1's 'Yankin' the Food Chain'
By Liz Singer, MusicDish e-Journal

Polarity/1, the multi-genre artist best known for honest, hard-hitting songs, succeeds in being both persuasive and entertaining on his album 'Yankin' the Food Chain.' As Polarity/1 continues on his ambitious, outspoken journey through the music industry, the delightfully bold album only adds to his list of accomplishments; Polarity/1's music has been incorporated by dance theaters and documentarists, including Danny Schechter's feature-length film documentary 'In Debt We Trust' and Battery Dance Company's 26th Annual Downtown Dance Festival last year.

Proving musicians' dual role as messengers, 'Yankin' the Food Chain' fuses electronica, acid jazz, alternative and electro-folk to create a set of funky-fresh beats infused with political themes. The serious issues covered on 'Yankin'' force listeners to reanalyze their own ethics, especially when cornered with their own self-images in "Look at Your Shoeshine": "Can you see yourself in your shoeshine?/ Step back!"

From the excitingly chilly vocals of "Salesman," to the persuasive political raps found in "News Goo," to the astoundingly real lyrics of "Di Hard" ("The good die young/ and the bad get paid"), 'Yankin'' has something to offer every music-lover. "News Goo" includes an interesting battle between what we know versus what is really happening, and also the conflict between what we need versus what the government tells us we need. On the slower, almost-reggae "Bag of Bones," Polar takes the tempo down a few notches, relaxing listeners with smooth-jazzy, sarcastic lines like: "Jesus died for you to have fun."

Not one of the album's tracks fails to be overwhelmingly interesting and unique. Perhaps most notable, though, are the funky, upbeat tracks, such as "Boomers Blues" and "Jam Inya Jammies." Reminiscent of the solar-system-y beats of Prince, "Cincinnati Park" also dazzles listeners with its fresh melody about a soul-filled lady. With lyrics like "She's catchin' the groove and won't let go," it's obvious that once you start playing 'Yankin' the Food Chain,' you won't be letting go of the groove, either.
Rating: 9/10

on 2008-09-26 MusicDish Said:

"News Goo" includes an interesting battle between what we know versus what is really happening, and also the conflict between what we need versus what the government tells us we need. "So where's the news of a people left out?/ Put a camera in my face to hear me shout/But they don't want to hear what I shout about."
Rating: 9/10