Now more than ever, it feels like some seismic shift is about to happen. You can feel it when reading global news about the air strikes in Iraq, in national news’ reporting on the demonstration-turned-riots/excessive police force in Ferguson, Missouri, or even in the Capital City with the ruling against the fairness ordinance.
I’m not comparing any of these events. I’m simply pointing out that there’s a whole helluva lot of social unrest. Maybe it’s my age, and I haven’t actively witnessed and kept up with issues like these until now. Maybe it’s the fact that one of my friends is posting link after link of absolutely horrendous updates of all three situations on Facebook, making me more depressed as the day goes on.
Under these circumstances, I’ve found myself listening to angry songs. I haven’t heard a modern voice tackle what’s going on. That’s the current state of music—the large majority of popular acts are blatantly not concerned with the current state of affairs outside the dancehall. I found myself looking for and listening to protest songs that accurately describe our times.
I’m not writing this post to achieve some sort of Buzzfeed-type feel, i.e. “Here are 15 songs that you absolutely should listen to if you’re angry at your government officials.” No, not at all. I just see pictures and read news items and instantly think of certain songs being played.
When I think about what’s happening in Ferguson, I hear N.W.A. and Public Enemy blasting over a boom box. I hear Zach de la Rocha leading Rage Against the Machine in an encore performance of “Killing in the Name.” I hear The Clash’s “I Fought the Law.” Having seen images of the riots escalating, I instantly think of the brooding “4th of July” by Soundgarden.
When I hear another story about Iraq, System of a Down’s political metal instantly starts pulsing in my brain. I hear the band’s “War?,” with its revelatory chorus of “We will fight the heathens.” I hear Slayer’s “Angel of Death.” I see pictures of children running in Iraq and think of John Lennon’s “Bring on the Lucie (Freeda People)”.
Having seen the discrimination battle in Baton Rouge, I think of Neil Young’s “Alabama” and Jarvis Cocker’s “Running the World.” While the former paints a picture of a race-torn state, the latter calls those in power the worst name of all.
But after all the anger, I step aside and turn on Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.” I’m still naďve in my hope, but know that it will still be a long time coming before the shift occurs, and I’m nervous about what that shift will bring.
Song of the week
Wu Tang Clan’s “Ron O’Neal”
The greatest rap group of all time is back. After some back-and-forth scuffling between members RZA and Raekwon, the Wu is at a good spot mentally and spiritually, and a new album, A Better Tomorrow, is set for a November release. If this track is any indication, the discussion about best rap album of 2014 will be a short one.
DJ Shadow’s “Ghost Town” Armed with a new label, one of electronic music’s former heavyweights is back with a vengeance. The first single, which was released as part of a free EP download this Tuesday, sounds like DJ Shadow has been studying under the tutelage of Aphex Twin, and Shadow’s craft is all the better for it.
Album of the week
Cliff Martinez and Gregory Tripi’s The Knick Original Series Soundtrack.
Though only two episodes of Steven Soderbergh’s The Knick have aired, I’ve already found myself calling the Cinemax original series excellent and beautiful. First off, the show has quite a cast, with lead man Clive Owen finally being in something of merit. The look and feel of the show is just right, too. And part of that feeling comes from Cliff Martinez and Gregory Tripi’s unusual, electronic score. Like his previous work with Soderbergh, Martinez has a knack for subtle blips of orchestration that sync up just right with the pulse of the director’s images.
