Social Dancing
Bis is a revelation. Their in-your-face combination of disco and punk rock may confuse the feet--they don't know whether to boogie or stomp--but it sets the blood, and ultimately the brain, on fire. While the Scottish trio's earlier albums have a cheeky, cartoonish take on life,Social Dancingactually has an agenda, one that begins with a musical epiphany and culminates in a millennial cultural revolution. "Trying to keep up with the DJ / he has no voice and no say," they decry in "Action and Drama"; soon they beg, "I just want some personality / give me action and drama." They further rail against the faceless bleeps and whistles of techno on the frenetic "Eurodisco," then later on the LP's standout cut, "Detour" (featuring a cameo and cowriting credit from Lois Maffeo), they ask, "Do you wanna go my way?" Bis is forging new ground and they know it, and with discovery comes responsibility (a lesson one wishes more trailblazers had learned). What use is a trend or fashion or even dance music in the face of a crazy, inhumane world? A previous generation of disco kids once declared, "Fuck art, let's dance," but Bis understands that's just empty posturing. Their slogan would be: "Don't just dance, take action." The title of the album isn't referring to a gaggle of ravers squirming into oblivion. On the stunning final cut, "Listen Up," a snarly vocal reminiscent of vitriolic Johnny Rotten cries, "You've never thought about power," as a disco pulse urges listeners into a frenzy. Then comes the coup d'etat: "The power / to riot / is anger / united." Turns out, the social dance is the one an empowered crowd steps to. Don't forget: when Paris burned, people danced in the streets. This time the revolution has a back beat.--Tod Nelson