An album that makes the discographies of Propagandhi and Rise Against look impenetrably subtle by comparison, Payola proudly bears its politics in song titles like “The Left Is Right,” “MariKKKopa,” and “Slacktivist.” There’s no mistaking the passion that seethes in each of Payola’s 14 tracks, some of the most ferociously melodic rock songs released this year.
If there was any knock to be made on Desaparecidos’ otherwise perfect 2002 album Read Music/Speak Spanish, it was that it was too Omaha. The band’s brilliantly crafted songs chronicling the growing pains and local politics of their hometown were almost enviable from a national perspective. How about directing some of that energy outwards, dudes? Fortunately, when Conor Oberst and crew returned for their lonnnnng-awaited sophomore album, Payola, 13 years later, they did just that. Each of the record’s 14 songs is a self-contained indictment of a large-scale American problem, which, unfortunately for the country but fortunately for music, there is no shortage of. Failed healthcare systems, institutionalized xenophobia, and Wall Street bro culture all feel the vengeful and sometimes wonderfully sarcastic hand of Desaparecidos. Not to mention that sonically, Payola is about as solid of a distortion-heavy rock record as you’re gonna get.
The Fat Angel Sings 