01	Alarm						04:37
	02	This guarian angel						04:11
	03	True colours						01:29
	04	Black boots marchin'						03:54
	05	Fear of freedom						05:50
	06	The king is dead						04:41
	07	Declaration						03:50
	08	Sun, moon and stars						00:59
	09	Stepmother earth						03:34
	10	Share the light						03:10
	11	Needle song						01:41
	12	Adam & Eve						05:06

Artist: Across the Border
Titel: "If I can't dance...it's not my revolution"
Format: Album-CD
ca. 50 Min.
Release Date: 01.02.1999


Since 1993 this group from Karlsruhe, Germany has been responsible for creating stormy, politically charged, folk-infused punk-rock. With lyrical topics ranging from extolling the virtues of marijuana to denouncing political establishments to pro-homosexual views, Across the Border is not your ordinary happy-go-lucky fiddle and squeezebox rock band. Anarchistic sums up their philosophy quite accurately. Similar to the modus operandi of Black 47 in depicting the storied Irish-American experience in 19th and 20th century US, is Across the Border's approach in voicing their complaints and concerns about preceived injustices in modern day Germany. That is, in your face diatribes performed with a smirk coupled with their rambunctious yet appealing delivery. Instrumentally they are exceptional, particularly the rhythm section of Stefan and Fezzo and the fiddler who is simply known as David. The two areas most in need of improvement are lead vocals and lyric writing; Singer Jochen's ("Jake") voice is simply too passive for the roll while the text frequently suffers at the hands of simplicity. ~ Dave Sleger, All Music Guide


AMG EXPERT REVIEW: If I Can't Dance, It's Not My Revolution is the follow-up to Across the Border's two 1997 releases, the EP But Life Is Boring Sir, Without Committing a Crime and the full-length album Crusty Folk Music for Smelly People. The German group's penchant for verbose titles continues but, more importantly, so does the band's ability to fuse undeniable punk rhythms and attitudes with acoustic folk instruments like fiddle and accordion. The group's homeland brethren and folk-punk contemporaries the Shanes also flourish under those qualifiers, although Across the Border relies more on electric guitar with riffs that teeter somewhere between heavy metal and hardcore punk. But guitarist Inst doesn't neglect the acoustic guitar either, as he strikes an equitable balance with his selection of instruments. Thematically, this band is more contentious and political in nature than the Shanes. Across the Border's "higher social consciousness" would seem to clash with the band's nihilistic sympathies but hey, it's only rock & roll. Besides, it's doubtful that the credulous lyrics here will ever be mistaken for widespread political directives. In the context of folk-infused punk rock, though, Across the Border certainly strikes a resonating chord. Instrumentally, the band is quite talented, particularly fiddler David (who appears to benefit from a traditional background) and the palpitating rhythm section of bassist Stefan and drummer Fezzo. Despite their disparate approaches, a symbiotic relationship was forged between the traditional and punk influences that define the group. Lead singer Jake, who either wrote or co-wrote a majority of the album's selections, unfortunately lacks the authoritative and boisterous quality that the songs dictate - but his fiery songwriting more than atones for his vocal deficiencies. - Dave Sleger