The Kominas – Escape To Blackout Beach (Album Review)
By Hasan Faridi
We’ve all heard the sarcastic but notorious name of The Kominas. Hailing from Boston, MA, the famed Islamic punk rockers are back with the 7-track Escape To Blackout Beach.
The Kominas means ‘the scoundrels’ and compromises of Basim Usmani, Imran Malik and Shahjehan Khan. The band is considered to be one of the first to use the genre of Taqwacore music. To the dismay of the religious Mullah’s, Taqwacore is the genre of punk music mixed in with the culture, traditions and beliefs of Islam.
The Kominas play on US expectations and media perceptions of Muslims and Asians alike. Songs such as “Sharia Law in the USA” and “Suicide Bomb The Gap” sarcastically give a message out towards the reader and what they expect to hear from Muslims. The Kominas unlike many religious bands, don’t preach. They blend Islam and music together for the good and enjoyment of others, through comical lyrics and infectious tones.
Escape To Blackout Beach starts off with one of the slowest songs called “Silver”, a mellow number (like “Armo”) to start off the groove. The lyrics tell a story, all about bags of silver? For a daughter’s hand? This number is enough to lift anyone’s spirit, with laughter and joy. You can expect a lot of randomness from this band.
“Kuj” brings punk alive… Desi style. The track kicks into fast-paced guitar strums. This is what it’s all about. The composition and fusion between Eastern and Western styles is outstanding.
With a Youtube video that was released beforehand, next up is “High Noon”, a paced track with a Country feel and English vocals sung alongside by vocalist and bassist Basim. I listened to this release before the album released, and I immediately got stuck into it. It’s definitely one of the best songs in the album.
“Tunnnnn” bridges the divide with Punjabi and English vocals, and is filled with constant guitar strums like the follow up that makes it near repetitive. The funk-filled track finishes quickly, being the smallest track in the album.
The Kominas get their groove on in “Maanji Vich Daang”. The funky guitars lead up to Punjabi vocals whilst the drums hit hard. The verses are slowed down to soothe the soul, then the energy is released. This song is the best song in the language of Punjabi. Punjabi Power!
Escape To Blackout Beach finishes with “Blackout Beach”, a funky number with soulful vocals and guitars. The song is packed with energetic choruses and an old school feel. We are at the end of the album, have we escaped Blackout Beach? Hell no, it’s time for a replay!
The only downside is that some tracks are under 3 minutes, making me replay quicker than usual. But hey, it’s probably a good thing for the radicals. Every track has a blend of different concoctions mixed with the finest feel of punk. There doesn’t seem to be any link with Islam associated in the new tracks compared to the old tracks such as “Sharia Law In The USA”.
The Kominas are either liked or hated, and we happen to love them. They are here to stay and they’ve lasted this long as proof, combining the artistic melodies of punk music, and the musical essence of faith that bring them all together.
