Pop Culture Politics
Being Against Stuff is Cool Now
Where once political protesting through music was relegated to angry punk rockers or pudgy folk artists, everyone is getting into the game now. Green Day, Eminem, A Perfect Circle, Bruce Springsteen. Thanks to George W. Bush, who is bringing back 80s style anti-Reagan level hysteria. If he wins tonight, expect four more years of concept albums, benefit concerts and supposed deep lyrics. Let’s hope for at least a few throwaway “Thong Song(s)” to counter all the heaviness.
Here are three recent case studies:
1. Eminem - "Mosh" video
Last Thursday Eminem’s “Shady National Convention” convened in New York to launch his new 24-hour hip hop station on Sirius Satellite Radio and reveal his new video “Mosh,” which is very much anti-Bush. The video, with impressive animation, looks to motivate young voters to either vote or buy the soon-to-be released “Encore” (Nov. 16, Interscope).
2. Green Day - American Idiot
Green Day would like to become the musical Michael Moore this year. They may sweep the Grammies with the politically charged “American Idiot.” Who knows what the lyrics are about and who cares because we all assume the title is about Bush, so that makes them cool, right?
3. A Perfect Circle - eMOTIVe
A Perfect Circle, the side project for Tool singer Maynard James Keenan breaks out with “eMOTIVe” a collection of political cover songs and originals. Marvin Gaye, Depeche Mode and John Lennon are covered in monotone fashion without much emotion despite the title.
Article comments
1 - Mark Edward Manning
"If he wins tonight, expect four more years of concept albums, benefit concerts and supposed deep lyrics."
But it won't matter. If rockers continue to pump out that sort of crap, they'll only be stroking their own egos.
Though, I suppose they'll try to energize the liberal Democrat base for 2008.
2 - Eric Olsen
very nice job Chip and welcome! I don't mind the occasional pointed or poignant commentary but like you say, this shit is all over the place and basically none of it has dick to say
3 - Janet
I happen to be a conservative who likes metal/punk and am sick of having to sit thru diatribes like Maynard James Keenan's rant at the APC concert this year in SF. What a hypocrite! I remember something (correct me if i'm wrong) about him being in the forefront of the bands opposed to Napster and, by the way, notice that A Perfect Circle's CD, "13th Step" is copy-protected, which means I have (legally, full price too!!) bought a CD which I can't transfer onto my MP3 player. I'm confused, who belongs to the establishment here?