Album Review: Young Adults Against Suicide by Ninja High School

Toronto rap group Ninja High School describes itself as "a positive hardcore dance-rap band," and its debut album, Young Adults Against Suicide, demonstrates just how difficult remaining positive within a traditional rap format can be. Somewhat more reminiscent of Rage Against the Machine than the Beastie Boys or Eminem, the group, led by art school dropout Matt Collins, is as good as any rap outfit at expressing anger; in fact, they're more eloquent than most, beginning leadoff track "Good Morning" with a voice intoning the words "a whirling vortex of blind rage. " Second track "Jam Band Death Cult" is typical of the approach, which incorporates blistering criticism of society with a curious deference: "We don't wanna hurt feelings," goes the chorus, "but the people who keep wasting our time should shut the f*ck up, 'cause this is what's up.

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