Black President - Black President EP (Mean Street - September 2008)

BLACK PRESIDENT

Black President

(Cobra Music)

A band name like Black President makes a bold statement. None of its music is backing Obama, but its music is plenty fueled with screams for change. Their music is not your average pop-punk full of pretty melodies. Instead Black President goes for a highly energetic brand of melodic punk whose subject matter is part political, part social commentary, but never a loss for words. Frontman Christian Martucci belts out his heart on songs like “So Negative” and “Short List of Outspoken Suspects,” while “Ask Your Daddy” makes it clear how they feel about the spoiled youth. Black President is a rarity within the punk world these days in a time when people would rather be followers than speak their true minds.

Grade: A-
REI NISHIMOTO