Consolidated, Friendly Fascism (Nettwerk/IRS Records)

Less an album and more a pro-vegetarianism, anti-sexism manifesto, Friendly Fascism, the second LP from this San Francisco-based trio, is nonetheless an ambitious synthesis of industrial dance music and hip-hop. Tracks like “Brutal Equation” and “Unity of Oppression” contain an element of humanity not generally found in soulless, repetitive, electronic industrial music, while taking a lyrical stance diametrically opposed to hip-hop’s often sexist attitudes. The group’s presentation of its lyrics is different, to say the least. Taped segments from after-show, open-mic debates with audience members during Consolidated’s last tour make up “Dominion.” Two tracks later, an Elvis Costello-like, nasally whine turns up on “College Radio”; rapper Chill E.B. guests on “We Gotta Have Peace.” And rather than resorting to simplistic slogans to make a point, “Meat Kills” is one long, somber, spoken series of statistics. Consolidated’s clever integration of disparate elements prevented what could have been, given the political emphasis, an extremely dry and potentially self-righteous album. Instead, the result is an intriguing, listenable body of work. The politics are debatable, but the gumption required to create this record can’t be denied.