REVIEW

Music Review: Various Artists - Body Of War: Songs That Inspired An Iraq War Veteran

Written by Glen Boyd
Published March 21, 2008
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The music on this collection cuts across a variety of genres, and even several time periods. Much of it is also music that will be recognized, such as John Lennon's Vietnam era protest "Gimme Some Truth," Bruce Springsteen's haunting "Devils And Dust," and Pearl Jam's live version of Dylan's "Masters Of War." There are also more modern antiwar anthems represented here in the form of Neil Young's "Restless Consumer" (from his infamous 2006 album Living With War), Bright Eyes' "When The President Talks to God," and Public Enemy's "Son Of A Bush."

Somewhat less known, but no less incendiary are songs like Lupe Fiasco's "American Terrorist," and Talib Kweli's "Bushonomics" performed with Princeton scholar Cornel West. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder contributes a song written specifically for the documentary, "No More," which is performed live here with Ben Harper. Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello shows up here in his alter-ego as The Nightwatchman for "Battle Hymns." There are also brand new voices represented here such as singer/songwriter Brendan James, whose "Hero's Song" appears as the very first track on the collection.

From Tom Waits to System Of A Down to Bad Religion to Against Me!, this two CD set stands as a broad, genre-spanning collection of great music in its own right. And for anyone who wonders where are our own modern version of the sort of angry, indignant, and compelling protest music that energized the Vietnam generation is today, look no further.

Proceeds from Body Of War: Songs That Inspired An Iraq War Veteran will be donated to Iraq Veterans Against The War (IVAW), a non-profit organization founded in 2004, giving voice to Iraq veterans opposed to the war. Sire Records, the label who released this great, timely collection has also made a donation on Young's behalf of $100,000.

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GlenSoprano

You'll find Blogcritics assistant music editor Glen Boyd sharing his Thoughtmares on his personal blogs The World Wide Glen, and The Rockologist, as well as at Cinema Blend Music. In a previous life, Glen was a music professional and journalist whose work has appeared in The Rocket, SPIN, Pulse!, and The Source. Glen is also seeking an active full-time writing gig. Will somebody please hire this man?
Keep reading for information and comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own!
Music Review: Various Artists - Body Of War: Songs That Inspired An Iraq War Veteran
Published: March 21, 2008
Type: Review
Section: Music
Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Music: Folk, Music: Hard Rock, Music: Hip-hop, Music: Metal, Music: Punk Rock, Music: Rap, Music: Rock
Writer: Glen Boyd
Glen Boyd's BC Writer page
Glen Boyd's personal site
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Comments

#1 — March 23, 2008 @ 12:37PM — Marnye

Hmm... Springsteen's "Devils and Dust" is one of the "more modern" tracks, since it's from 2005.

#2 — March 23, 2008 @ 17:49PM — Kent [URL]

Here's one anti-war song of mine you have probably never heard.

Its So Wrong - "sounds like John Lennon"

#3 — March 24, 2008 @ 11:18AM — Kevin Eagan [URL]

Sounds like an excellent collection. Thanks for the review.

#4 — March 25, 2008 @ 09:01AM — Justin

You're forgetting the fact that te music of the Vietnam era was heartfelt and not economically oriented or politically expedient. Their intent was purely about humanity. Surely politics was involved, but it was the broader scope of those in power. The supposed devisiveness of this war is because people are choosing to call out one man or one small group as being responsible. Look at how George Bush is lambasted in the titles of most of these songs. Do not foget that there was a nearly unanimous vote to start the war. Left vs. Right is BS. Do you want to win the war or not?
Finally, look up the number of casualties in in Veitnam. They were 10 times as high for U.S. military and 5 times higher for civilians in a similar 5 year period. Then you will realize, to a much greater degree, why people were so outraged.

#5 — March 25, 2008 @ 11:15AM — Glen Boyd [URL]

Justin,

The outrage on college campuses was fueled in large part by the draft.

-Glen

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