The (International) Noise Conspiracy today have been around much longer than their preceding hardcore-punk band Refused ever was. However, it is still interesting that this band also brought lead-singer Dennis Lyxzén’s outspoken political lyrics to a much bigger audience than Refused could ever expect with their aggressive songs. ‘The Shape Of Punk To Come’ was a pop-rock band with a political message. Noise Conspiracy’s fifth album, “The Cross of my Calling”, now sounds even cleaner, not only because it has been produced by the legendary Rick Rubin again. This is more poppy seventies-style rock, with minute-long guitar solos (“Dustbins of history”) and “Riders on the storm”-style-organs (“Child of God”). “The Cross of my Calling” on the one hand is diversified and danceable, but on the other hand it unfortunately misses hooks. There is almost nothing left of the rousing energy of TINC’s earlier stuff, what cannot be made up by radical statements. Maybe this is the price of making music for the masses.

The Verdict: Political pop that is danceable while lacking in hooks.

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