Just as 2003's
War on Errorism established the activism wing of the
NOFX party house,
Ten Foot Pole makes a clear and present turn toward punk rock consciousness-raising on
Subliminable Messages, its Go-Kart Records debut. There's that title for one thing, and a lament for "Rachel Corrie," the young American peace activist killed in the Gaza Strip in 2003. There's also "Wake Up (And Smell the Fascism)," where vocalist
Dennis Jagard calls for awareness and action from all those self-righteous hardcore kids making homemade social injustice backpack patches.
Jagard and his rejiggered
TFP lineup (new bassist, new lead guitarist) are obviously very passionate about the state of our union. But for all their anger,
Subliminable's songwriting has a tendency to falter. The bitter relationship woe of "With You by My Side" and "Your World" is certainly cathartic, but musically the tracks are dot-connecting Cali punk in the vein of
NOFX,
Bad Religion, or even
Pennywise. Still,
Ten Foot Pole's honesty goes a long way, whether they're musing on politics, romance, or the pain of dealing with a drug-addicted pal. "Kicked Out of Kindergarten" is filled with fun memories of a rambunctious childhood ("Saw the principal for crimes...like spitting on blonde-braided Karen Edwards..."), while "She Looks Like" is the promising punk-pop opposite of the album's more cynical passages, detailing your typical skater Betty crush. Longtime
TFP fans will be happy to see
Jagard back with another lineup. And while it isn't the band's strongest effort,
Subliminable Messages' hearty lyrical honesty is admirable, and closer to punk's truest roots than any sunny hook.