Songs Of War And Peace

Twisted bluegrass’y, sly comedic protest music, mixing in Eugene Chadborne insanity, traditional instruments applied sickly, with brilliant lyrics from the school of Phil Ochs, John Prine. Brilliant stuff, kicked off by the first track which is a version of the Star Spangled Banner using the names of American corporations all strung together as lyrics. I must say that since 9-11 KZSU got a a lot of of “protest” music, and about 99.99% was just abysmal. It’s a real kick to get a cd that can be mentioned in the same sentence as Woody Guthrie, Ochs, Joan Baez. And with Eugene Chadborne adding his distinct brain damaged flare to this, how can you miss?!? Play with Enemy Combatants, David Rovics, Noam Chomsky.

FCC clean, My picks: any track (or try 1, 2, 3, 6, 9)

1)incredible twist on the star spangled banner, stringing together names of corporations as lyrics!!
2) folky twisted banjo etc with brilliant lyrics, creepy samples by Bush
3) slow mindful waltzy ode to shattered utopian dream
4) upbeat mandolin driven ode to Washington fatcats driving hummers and doing nothing to help people
5) “put an oilman in charge of the country… would you put a fox in charge of the henhouse…” excellent with basic folk
6) upbeat bluegrass feel, “the world is going down the drain, correct me if I’m wrong but the presidents insane… with leaders like these, who needs enemies?”
7) slow dark instrumental version of Ochs’ “I ain’t marching anymore
8) slow dark waltz, morose lyrics and feel, Dylanesque
9) bluegrass, Woody Guthrie cover, timely regarding trying to move/cross the border into California
10) 2/4 bluegrass protest, trampling of civil rights, ouch
11) cheery folk feel
12) hilarious poke at the human race, sociopathic
13) slow piano based instrumental, dark
14) toy piano screwed up instrumental of the National Anthem, good ironic