I have a very special relationship with THE MOVEMENT. Back when they were still with Destiny Records, I packed the promo packages for their first release and got to know the band quite well.
Now, none of the original members are still with the band, except for the band's leader, Lukas.
Lukas has repeatedly reassembled the band over the past few years. The positions on bass and drums changed often. They were all good, some were even very good. None of them stayed long, maybe for one tour, maybe for two. The band left Destiny Records after two releases.
They found a new home at Concrete Jungle Records, where their third album “Fools like You“ was released. The vinyl of this album was released by Tollshock Records (the label of the unfortunately no longer existing Berlin band Fluchtweg). The third album continued the themes of the two previous albums. After that, things became a bit quieter for the band. They still went on tour and played at festivals, but they were no longer really big festivals.
At the end of last year, there were whispers in the air that a new album from the Danish band was on the way. Excitement grew, and indeed, on April 17, 2020, the fourth album from the Danes will be released.
The album is titled “Future Freedom Time“ and is the logical successor to the three previous albums.
Since their founding, THE MOVEMENT has been explicitly political. They refer to and draw from texts by Karl Marx and advocate for a free socialism. For the equality of people, especially the working population. Since the band's formation in 2002, they have expressed their political opinions and repeatedly explained why this path is the only right one for a better, fairer, and more humane society. For the fair distribution of capital to all, especially to those who have only received small crumbs from the pie their whole lives.
In addition to their strong political engagement, THE MOVEMENT has also always created songs for the heart. They were romantic, longing songs that touched people. This was also reflected in Lukas's solo project, with songs for the heart and soul.
Now it has taken eight years for the new album.
What does the new album from THE MOVEMENT have to offer?
The album “Future Freedom Time“ seamlessly connects to the three previous albums. Right from the first song, the band shows that they have lost none of their criticism of the prevailing system. The first song can be understood as a cry for help, as a battle song.
The second song, which shares the album's name, lyrically reminds me of “More Products“ from the second album “Revolutionary Sympathies“ (where “More Products“ is also song number two). This song connects to the first but has a more personal reference. It’s my life. Let’s not be controlled by others anymore, not by the unjust, exploitative, capitalist system. Another life is possible, for everyone!
“Shake the Chains“ also shakes us up, urging us to stand up and fight. It’s a class struggle. It’s a fight of the poor against the rich. Against false truths, all that we are daily inundated with, which means nothing.
There is no goodbye Lenin
There´ll never be a goodbye Marx
History will teach us
how weak we are when we´re apart
We´ll never gonna give up
Is there anything more needed than these lines from “Shake the Chains“?
Then comes “Rudie“. “Rudie“ is one of the songs that are for the heart and soul. No screaming, no bravado or puffed-up chest (which no one needs anyway), but a danceable song that feels good. A song where you can gladly hold your partner in your arms and think about what you have together.
“Revolt“, the following song, is lyrically a bit weaker, in my opinion, but it’s also a song that shows that one can be different in small ways, in everyday life, that one can be against something, yes, must be!
It’s no coincidence that it’s called “The Movement. The band who like to say No!“.
Then it continues with “Always be in love“. As the title suggests, it’s a text about togetherness. It’s important to reflect on what you have together, what love means. What love is!
What follows is a farewell to the modern times we live in. What has this time, the modern time, brought us? Nothing new...still...
it´s the same old crime
in the modern time
All the beautiful things we have, but exploitation is still the order of the day. Exploitation of ourselves and of the people who produce the many beautiful things for us.
Modern only means more technology, not a better life!
“That feeling“ is a song for everyone who feels like they want to change something.
We all a part of the same fight
Write that down, all of you who have to discuss everything to death instead of standing up and doing something. Only those who do something are the ones who truly move!
The last song is “I want it“. It has a dedication and shows in a very condensed form what “Rock´n´Roll“ means to THE MOVEMENT. A feeling that you want to have again and again. A feeling of life, freedom, love, ecstasy.
The band packages the (only) nine songs in their well-known, technically demanding sound that is heavily influenced by The Who and The Jam. Mod-punk might describe it quite well. An exhilarating mix, still vibrant and hopefully for a long time to come.
THE MOVEMENT is back...were they ever gone?
The CD comes in a digipack with a booklet containing the lyrics and liner notes from the band.
