Little Beirut: High Dive

Apparently, this Portland, Oregon quartet is not the sort to beat around the bush. Taking their name very literally from a statement that President Bush Sr. made in reaction to the massive protests he faced during a visit to Portland, these guys are clear about what they’re doing. In the thick of things in those politically charged times during the early ’90s, and obviously influenced by that, the pop songs here naturally have a heavy political slant to them. The band also insists on bringing the stadium-sized production from that time along with them though, so it won’t be the borderline soapbox rants that hit you over the head as much as the generally huge guitars and drums do. While the tired idea of making Secretary of State, Condoleezaa Rice, and the matter of her desexuality the theme for a love song entitled “Love During Wartime” would not be an expected stand-out track, it deviates from the sound of the rest of the album and the guys do better with the more reined-in approach