Algiers' new single: 'Cleveland'

One of the most inspired and relevant bands of our time:


Algiers - "Cleveland" (Official Audio)

Published on 13 Jun 2017

From Algiers' new album 'The Underside of Power' released by Matador Records on June 23rd, 2017 and available for pre-order now: http://smarturl.it/TheUndersideOfPower

"A recurring theme in our music is the idea of injustice and the bitter understanding that obtaining justice in this world is all but impossible--particularly for black and brown people.”

- frontman and lyricist Franklin James Fisher



CLEVELAND lyrics
I never saw your face but I can tell
you’re there and waiting at the Right Hand

Satan laughs but I swear
I can hear all the saints on their way down

Here come the Shirts in Brown and Black
With the flashing lights
They’re hiding
In different colors in the dead of night
They’re running Waller County, Texas where 4,000 died

And down in Jackson, Mississippi they don’t have to hide

But innocence is alive and it’s coming back one day

Here come the(m) boys in black and white
With the kerosene
It’s been the same evil power since in ‘63
They hang in Homewood, Alabama with the whitest sheets

And in Montgomery County, Maryland from a sapling tree

But innocence is alive and it’s coming back one day

I don’t think you’re gonna get away
With the Seal I can hear them singing

Kindra Chapman (we’re coming back)

Brother Andre Jones (we’re coming back)

Lennon Lacy (we’re coming back)

Sandra Bland (we’re coming back)

Roosevelt Pernell (we’re coming back)

Keith Warren (we’re coming back)

Alfred Wright (we’re coming back)

We’re coming back and any day now — it won’t be long…

The hand that brings the gavel down

is the hand that ties the noose
The hand that finds you behind
And ties the thirteen loops

But that hand is gonna fold
The day is coming soon
When we fill it full of dust and resurrect the truth

‘Cause innocence is alive and it’s coming back one day

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You can also read this article by Consequence of Sound:

Algiers pay tribute to victims of police violence on “Cleveland” — listen

A haunting gospel punk track from the band's forthcoming The Underside of Power 

BY BEN KAYE

ON JUNE 13, 2017, 5:07PM

When it comes to music with political statements in 2017, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything more powerful and overt than Algiers. The New York/London band recently announced their sophomore album, The Underside of Power, with its hard-hitting, soulful title track. Now, they’re back with another culturally critical single, “Cleveland”.

The track title references Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old black boy who was killed by police in November 2014. “Cleveland” serves as a tribute to all victims of unchecked police brutality, however, as a press release notes “the lyrics summon Kindra Chapman, Andre Jones, Lennon Lacy, Sandra Bland, Roosevelt Pernell, Keith Warren and AlfredWright.” Like the previous track, there’s an air of affirmation in the song’s dark tones, only this time they’re buried far deeper under electronic textures and heavy punk gospel. In fact, there are actually the sounds of people crying layered into the mix.

“A recurring theme in our music is the idea of injustice and the bitter understanding that obtaining justice in this world is all but impossible — particularly for black and brown people,”frontman Franklin James Fisher explained in a statement. “I wanted the song to sound like the Final Judgement in the Bible, wherein the wicked are judged and condemned by the righteous with all the ‘weeping and gnashing of teeth,’ of the damned when justice is finally realized. This translates in the ‘solo’ section of the song. It consists of various recordings of people inconsolably crying and weeping while the guitar and lead vocal mirror their contortions. If you’ve ever witnessed something like that in real life, sound of a person’s sorrow is equal parts frightening and musical.”

The Underside of Power is due out June 23rd on Matador Records.

Algiers are currently touring Europe with Depeche Mode in support of the release, with North American dates coming in July. Check their schedule below.

Algiers 2017 Tour Dates:

06/15 – Paris, FR @ Secret Show
06/17 – Aarau, CH @ Kiff
06/18 – Zurich, CH @ Letzigrund Stadion *
06/19 – Heidelberg, DE @ Karlstorbahnhof
06/20 – Frankfurt, DE @ Commerzbank Arena *
06/21 – Munster, DE @ Gleis22
06/22 – Berlin, DE @ Olympiastadion Berlin *
06/23 – Berlin, DE @ Musik & Freiden
06/25 – Rome, IT @ Stadio Olimpico *
06/26 – Milan, IT @ Santeria Social Club
06/27 – Milan, IT @ Stadio San Siro *
06/29 – Bologna, IT @ Studio Rentao Dall’Ara *
07/01 – St. Denis, FR @ Stade de France *
07/04 – Gelsenkirchen, DE @ Veltins-Arena *
07/13 – Vancouver, BC @ Cobalt
07/14 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
07/15 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
07/17 – Oakland, CA @ Starline Social Club
07/18 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
07/22 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right
07/23 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
07/24 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
10/15 – Atlanta, GA @ Afropunk Festival

* = w/ Depeche Mode

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Links:

http://www.algierstheband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Algierstheband/
https://twitter.com/AlgiersMusic
https://www.instagram.com/algierstheb...

http://www.matadorrecords.com/
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