The (International) Noise Conspiracy

Raw exuberance matched with a burning desire to change the world is the hallmark of enlightened youth, often leading to embarrassing clothing buried in attics and repressed memories of auctioned-off idealism. But on occasion, a rare alignment of planets can turn such bright-eyed passion into a more permanent contribution -- like great music. Sweden's (International) Noise Conspiracy has done just that with the EP Bigger Cages, Longer Chains, a six-song followup to 2001's acclaimed full-length, New Morning, Changing Weather.

Related Content

• Film maker Anne Makepeace on We Still Live Here and the Indigenous Film and Arts Festival
  October 12, 2011
• David Sirota's AM 760 ratings grow thanks to unlikely talk-radio demographic: women
  April 28, 2011
• Global Village
  November 6, 2008
• Q&A with Kevin Devine
  May 20, 2009
• Q&A With Howlin' Pelle Almqvist of the Hives
  February 20, 2008

More About

• Dennis Lyxzen
• The Hives (Musical Group)
• Noam Chomsky

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

With a lively, shiny brashness suited to both dance parties and anti-globalization rallies, the band's sound is loosely related to that of Scandinavian neo-punk of bands like the Hives; however, the Conspiracy's anti-capitalist bent will no doubt alarm fans of more mindless fare. Berating the forces of unchecked capitalism, singer Dennis Lyxzen, formerly of Refused, takes a lyrical approach that might evoke snickers from those who've already traded in their hearts for SUVs. He's so earnest, though, it's hard not to take him seriously on tracks like "A Textbook Example": "We still stutter when we're talking, haven't really learned a thing/Cause downsizing and profitizing will affect our way to think/I can't remember anything."

Besides, the meaning of the words is really just a subset of the music's power, and the Conspiracy's is relentless, with simple guitar lines and big drums throughout. Though often compared to late-'70s punk, the band's sound is too supple to fit that specific tag. Couched in the joyous enthusiasm of pop punk are some creative beats and odd rhythmic patterns evocative of ska or even early-'60s mod music. Boosted by video material -- including excerpts of a Noam Chomsky speech -- Cages is a six-song effort not easily contained.