The Employees

Despite the title, unemployment is no guilty admission in this politically-charged concept album from ‘The [aptly titled] Employees’. Rather, the songs systematically unbutton the tainted fabric of the American Dream fault loop by fault, until listeners are also left feeling more than a bit hostile towards an unbalanced economic system brought about by the ravaging excesses of capitalism.

But the animosity and angst are elements which the Chicago psychedelic-rock band ultimately utilize to their advantage in producing such an energetic and infectious sound, and in no way do the boys take themselves too seriously.

Intrigue is evoked immediately as white noise and sounds of helicopters and bombs (a la Apocalypse Now) herald ‘Prequel’, the first song of the album. Following is a series of solid riffs, jangly drum beats in keeping with the band’s self-proclaimed ‘psychedelia’ and some grungy glam fuzz moments which serve to flavor the album a bittersweet and intoxicating blend. The sound is certainly one unique sexy mess and the band’s compositional originality must be commended. At times in the song ‘Panic’, a 70′s lounge sound is interwoven with heavy metal chord progressions! In a way, it feels as if this is purposeful, the vintage music reflecting the disillusioned ‘old money’ folk of previous generations in America mixed with the shouts of the unemployed youth, frustrated with the system they were born into.

The following song, ‘Don’t rescue me’ is a stand-out track, with a slow-down of pace and a 60′s-type surf rock sound reminiscent of the Beach Boys. The electric guitar riff perfectly mirrors the dejected nature of the album’s message, and the vocals are distinctively unique: loud, clear and unpretentious. The breakdown into a reggae beat is further evidence these boys are the masters of vintage genre-spanning while retaining an edgy rock appeal.

The last track of the album, ‘Winter Round Here’ is perhaps the strongest whiplash of the ride. The simplicity and subtlety of clever instrumental dynamics highlight the clarity of The Employees’ political message. Additionally, the vocals really shine in this track, adopting a type of vicious ‘Reznor-esque’ nasality, which further punctuates the album. The piano is a delightful addition to the soft rock sound and the dissonance of the chords is wonderfully ominous.

Unemployed, a dark yet spirited album, is certainly a breath of fresh air and deserves a listen from beginning to end, regardless of one’s respective political leanings. Amongst memorable lyrics, interesting choices of instrumentation and a brash, unapologetic energy are guys with something to say, a rarity which establishes The Employees a true gem in modern alternative music.

Rating: 4/5 Stars! - Indie Music Review Magazine

Unemployed" by The Employees appeals to both the rocker and the activist. The Chicago-based four-piece recently released their second full-length work (on tax deadline day, natch) of psychedelic indie rock, a concept album tackling issues like the economy, political corruption, the environment, the death of the American dream and of course, unemployment. Sure, the lyrics are inevitably depressing, but somehow, the booming drums, shrieking guitar solos and socially-conscious angle lend a note of optimism. The songs - key tracks include “Ride” and “Winter Round Here” - translate well, but were clearly meant to be experienced live. The outrage is tangible, creating a raw, relevant album that begs to be experienced at a high volume. The Employees became involved with politics in 2010, a period of particularly egregious corruption in Chicago. Instead of jamming, the news. Soon, their band found itself debating. Soon enough, "Unemployed" was born. They also wrote a special track just for the Occupy Movement, "Part of the 99," that is not included on the album but can be heard above. In addition, the band teamed up with award-winning political cartoonist Cameron Cardow for the album artwork. The Employees are not even looking to make a profit off the music; they say they just want to get their message out. Message received. - See more at: http://www.occupy.com/article/its-great-be-unemployed#sthash.UY5a0y0U.dpuf - Occupy.com

Through my endeavors on Youtube.com, I get to “virtually meet” a lot of musicians and lesser-known bands. They watch my videos and notice that I am promoting music which is topical and, most importantly in these “internet censorship” days, not covered by copyright.
Through contact on Youtube we then collaborate – I add their music in my videos, and of course credit them and add a link to their website – and they of course allow me to add their oh-so-appropriate and original music to my videos.
I was very pleased to recently be contacted by The Employees. I have used one of their songs (“Part of the 99”) in my latest video and they very kindly gave me a link to download their latest and great album “Unemployed” which will be released soon.

The concept album “Unemployed”:
The music is meaningful and topical for our current revolutionary and crisis-ridden world. It carries a strong message. It tells a story. Plus, of course, it has a great beat!
All the way through, you are reminded of what is happening in the world – politics, corruption and lies. The music encourages you to stand up for your rights, to do your best to change this world. The album tells a strong story in song, which carries through from beginning to end.
This politically charged concept album will be sure to make a statement on the current status in the USA and provide an anthem for change.
The band is planning to have the album Unemployed available on April 17th (Tax Deadline day)!
The Employees also teamed up with political cartoonist Cameron Cardow for the artwork of this concept album. Cardow is a six-time finalist for Canada's National Newspaper Award and two-time winner. His cartoons have been published in the New York Times, L.A. Times, USA Today and many others.
Part of the 99
While finishing up recording their concept album, Unemployed, the Occupy movement started, which got the attention of the band. Unemployed contained some of the messages of the occupy movement without the band knowing it at first. This led the band to write a song in honor of the movement and they produced “Part of the 99” (video below).

By Anne Sewell - Digital Journal

Well, here’s a concept everyone in the music industry can relate to: unemployment!

Jokes aside, Aurora’s psychedelic rock four-piece The Employees are acting out the American Nightmare on Unemployed, which is an accurate depiction of how f**ked up the world is today, in terms of the economic climate, environmental disasters, society’s moral degeneration and everything else that makes you want to punch the newspaper in the face.

Juiced up with more hallucinogenated melodies than Jim Morrison’s early twenties, The Employees take you on a colourful ride through Unemployed. However, the journey is composed mostly of dark imagery and disillusioned moods – think of the reaction that the marching hammers from Pink Floyd’s The Wall evoke. Simply put, this isn’t a stripper-sliding-down-a-rainbow type of trip, which normally results in a self-inflicted happy ending, but a scary, introspective look into worldly matters.

Musically, you won’t find much in common with modern bands, as The Employees dig deep into the vintage vaults of the psychedelic era of rock. Whether the band pulls out the Doors-inspired snake-charmers on ‘Panic’, or slows down the emotional pace to utter depression (‘Don’t Rescue Me’), or perhaps even inspires Nicholas Hammond to don the spidey uniform again in order to relive the 70s (‘Impersonator’), one thing is for sure: Unemployed never gets dull. The overall theme of the album might be of disenchantment, but the music is anything but, as it grasps and enthrals your senses.

Out of nowhere, The Employees have delivered a scorcher of an album. It isn’t quite dad rock, but Unemployed is the type of record that you and your old man can both enjoy. Go on; show him that there are still decent rock bands emerging in the 21st Century.

Best Tracks: ‘Panic’, ‘Don’t Rescue Me’, and ‘Rumor’

80/100

- Sergio Pereira - Music Review

The band name got me to open the email, the message behind the music got me to listen, the album left me desiring something else vocally.

Or at least so I thought.

The first go around on any album is like an awkward first date. You just need to have one more to see if its a good fit.

And it was.

The key to listening to The Employees is turning the volume up!

Their a psychedelic rock/jam band out of Chicago. There are loads of guitar solos that just make your spine tingle. It left me no doubt that they could put one hell of a show on live.

The four-piece band led by Chris Bobowiec on the vocals, covers the depression of the economy, corruption in politics/big business, environmental disasters, unemployment, the death of the American dream.

Some how they manage to cover all that in only 10 tracks, that’s a talented band I say.

One of my favorite tracks on the album is “Winter Round Here,” “Panic” is another good one. It’s got a nice melody and will definitely have you singing along to it if you’ve got a few beers in you.

They may be new on the music work’s force, but they definitely deserved to be hired (sorry, couldn’t help myself). - Indie Media Magizine