Labels

Algiers

Franklin James Fisher

Franklin James Fisher

Vocals, Various

Lee Tesche

Lee Tesche

Guitarist

Ryan Mahan

Ryan Mahan

Bass

Matt Tong

Matt Tong

Drums


Formed: 2009
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Genre: Post-Punk, Post Industrial, Art Rock
Years Active: 2012 - present
Way of Working: Collaborative
Style: Wide-ranging dystopian protest music
Labels: Matador

Essential Releases

Algiers - The Underside of Power

The Underside
of Power (2017)

A rallying cry against injustice.



Formed under the oppressive Georgian sun, Algiers blend noise, gospel and electronic instruments to reinvent the region's protest music for a new generation as dystopian soul. Heralding from deep inside old confederate territory, where 44% of the population was enslaved in 1860, Algiers have deeply rooted cultural ties to injustice. Following in the footsteps of their fellow Georgians, such as Otis Redding, they, however, set an altogether darker tone.

Gone are the impassioned pleas for acceptance found on Redding hits such as 'Respect' (1965), and in their place is a foreboding wall of noise, that innovatively fuses gospel with post-punk, infusing the vocabulary of liberation with the harsh industrial textures of the police state.

The songs are noticeably more dejected than their '60s counterparts, more cynical and jaded, as if the optimistic marches of the civil rights movement, that felt real change on the horizon, gave way to broken promises and disillusionment.

In the face of entrenched systemic racism, the struggles of the past are still being fought today, at the ballot-box, in the court room, and in the music of Algiers.


Meaning of the Name

Named after the film, Battle for Algiers (1966), which is about Algeria's struggle to break free from French colonial rule.

Skills

*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?
75

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.
80

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.
85

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.
55

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?
45

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.
85

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.
60

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.
80

Singing

i Technical attributes.
75

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.
80

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?
60

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.
30

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.
55

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?
90

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.
60

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.
55

Commercial & Critical Success

Awards

Certifications

Charts

Critics >>>

  • American Songwriters: The Underside of Power (2017) - The Best Albums of the Year: 15th
  • The Quietus: The Underside of Power (2017) - The Best Albums of the Year: 24th

CONTROVERSY

  • Some people find protest music from a band who tour the world hard to take. They argue the civil rights movement changed society for the better and that people today aren't oppressed in a comparable way to those in the '60s.

  • Some people find Algiers using the language of the civil rights movement, such as on 'Walk Like A Panther', to be pretentious and disconnected from reality, especially as the band come from the suburbs and didn't experience the same harsh conditions as people living in poor, inner-city environments.


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