On the Record: Le Tigre

Artist : Le Tigre
Album : This Island (Universal Music)

In Yes New York, a 2003 compilation of songs from Big Apple-based bands the likes of the Strokes, Interpol and the Rapture, Le Tigre was included on the merit of their retro sound, as were most of the other bands in the project.

The three-"man" band is the incarnation of 1980 eighties New Wave bands, blending droning rhythms set by simple electronic drumbeats, plodding bass and slurring synth.

Masterminded by Kathleen Hanna, formerly of feminist punk riot girl band Bikini Kill, Le Tigre's third LP is a replay of their last two outings, only with more politically charged lyrics.

New Kicks is a protest song against the U.S.-led war in Iraq, while Seconds is a blistering indictment of the Bush administration.

Two veterans from the 1980s scene, Nicholas Sansano, co- producer for Sonic Youth's masterpiece Daydream Nations, and Ric Ocasek of the Cars help thicken the mud.

It was so, so long ago when dance music sounded this ferocious. -- M. Taufiqurrahman