Archive for Music
Lou Reed New York
In 1989 Lou Reed released what was probably his most critical political work with New York. One may call it a “concept” album, as each song reads like a chapter in a book. Reed tackles social issues from discrimination, environmental degradation, poverty, drug abuse, media manipulation, and domestic violence. Behind every song, the red thread that runs throughout the album is an unjust American economic system, perpetuated by elites and sustained by middle class apathy.
Music Café with The Disposable Heroes of Hypocrisy
“one nation
under God
has turned into
one nation under the influence
of one drug
Television, the drug of the Nation
Breeding ignorance and feeding radiation”
I thought this would be an appropriate Debut for the Friday Morning Music Café, especially for all of those taking “Media and Communications Theory.”
Michael Franti, is a San Francisco native and political activist. He was certainly ahead of the curve in popular culture when this song was released in 1992. This is a current “hot-button” political topic amongst the political left.
Friday Morning Music Café with The Disposable Heroes of Hypocrisy
“one nation
under God
has turned into
one nation under the influence
of one drug
Television, the drug of the Nation
Breeding ignorance and feeding radiation”
I thought this would be an appropriate Debut for the Friday Morning Music Café, especially for all of those taking “Media and Communications Theory.”
Michael Franti, is a San Francisco native and political activist. He was certainly ahead of the curve in popular culture when this song was released in 1992. This is a current “hot-button” political topic amongst the political left.
pink floyd the wall 1982 - we dont need no education
David’s choice here of “The Wall” to accompany the Ken Kesey reading was just top choice. The song works so well, “All in all you’re just another brick in the wall” but the video (actually the scene from the movie) is just too perfect. It’s fantastic how the young boy hallucinates all the faceless children being shipped off to the “combine”.
Btw, the poem in the middle of the song is an excerpt from a song off the album “The Dark Side of the Moon.”
Air - Playground Love (The Virgin Suicides)
I don’t think this video summarizes the story but it’s such a beautiful song and the video is damn clever. Enjoy.
Guest DJ John Waters
This is a fantastic conversation NPR’s “All Songs Considered” with underground filmmaker John Waters, including some unbelievable music samplings of his favorite songs. He’s got some great stories about growing up in Baltimore in the early 50’s and his early musical influences. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
“I liked Tina better when she was with Ike, she didn’t but the music…”
Btw, Ike will be performing in Odense this April.
Dixie Chicks take home Grammys
The Dixie Chicks took home Grammys for the top three awards: record, song and album of the year. Their “Taking the Long Way” (Open Wide/Columbia) won best country album and “Not Ready to Make Nice” also captured best country performance by a duo or group with vocal. That song is an unapologetic response to the furor set off in 2003 when the band’s lead singer, Natalie Maines, made an off-the-cuff antiwar remark to London concertgoers: “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.”
It’s great to finally see some good news out of Texas, compared to this recent news.
Now, I’ve never considered myself a big county music fan (despite being from Texas) but these young ladies are simply fantastic musicians. Add on all the hell they went through for speaking out against the war in Iraq and their Grammy is just a little sweeter. You can see the trailer to the documentary, “Shut Up And Sing”, which cronicles the huge “right-wing” reaction against that one comment they made against the President.