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Yes, it is.
BernManUNC wrote:
Now, here is an observation that I would really like to hear some opinions on:
Has it occurred to anyone else that an artist's music loses some of its artistic originality when they "go political." Now, this is not necessarily true, but it seems to happen often in practice. For instance, I feel that Massive Attacks latest album is a good album by most standards, but poor by their standard. Contrast this to Rage Against the Machine, who rocked the hell out and never seemed to lose their originality and generally artistic quality.
Any thoughts on this?
For those artists' who have been consistently and truly political with their music, I don't think it detracts from their artistry at all. I am discounting those who cut the obvious song just to boost sales. Heck, think of Dylan, Crosby Stills Nash & YOung, the Clash, U2, to name a few, who put out great music with political themes. Of course, the Clash split up mostly because Mick Jones thought that the focus was too much on politics, and he wanted to concentrate more on the music. But, on the other side, some artists do suffer a decline in their artistry when they become obsessed with the message, and whether that message is getting through -- that happened to comic Lenny Bruce.
BernManUNC wrote:
Agreed. I find nothing unique or even appealing about this song... Worn out classic country chords, cliche lyrics - and I agree with every word.
Now, here is an observation that I would really like to hear some opinions on:
Has it occurred to anyone else that an artist's music loses some of its artistic originality when they "go political." Now, this is not necessarily true, but it seems to happen often in practice. For instance, I feel that Massive Attacks latest album is a good album by most standards, but poor by their standard. Contrast this to Rage Against the Machine, who rocked the hell out and never seemed to lose their originality and generally artistic quality.
I see your point, but I think it depends on the band. I mean, when the Dixie Chicks did it to boost sales, it was pathetic, a la Michael Moore's Oscar stunt. But bands like U2 have been politically edgy (pardon the pun) since word Go, and it has made them 'the Rolling Stones with substance'. Ditto Billy Bragg: Northern Industrial Town is one of the most heartaching anti-war songs of all time, IMO.
Any thoughts on this?
"it's a rich man's war but it's a poor man's fight"
is there any other kind? 
maryann wrote:
I totally thought this was Bob Dylan!
Sounds like a Dylan song, but that's not his voice, for sure. Dylan's voice is unmistakable.
love it! love all of it!
Platypus wrote:
i dig the sentiment, but this is an awful song.
Agreed. I find nothing unique or even appealing about this song... Worn out classic country chords, cliche lyrics - and I agree with every word.
Now, here is an observation that I would really like to hear some opinions on:
Has it occurred to anyone else that an artist's music loses some of its artistic originality when they "go political." Now, this is not necessarily true, but it seems to happen often in practice. For instance, I feel that Massive Attacks latest album is a good album by most standards, but poor by their standard. Contrast this to Rage Against the Machine, who rocked the hell out and never seemed to lose their originality and generally artistic quality.
Any thoughts on this?
I totally thought this was Bob Dylan!
i dig the sentiment, but this is an awful song.
cjonescu wrote:
This is such a great song. It's what music is supposed to be about. It actually has a message, wheter you agree with it or not, and it puts it to a great tune. I look forward to hearing more of this one.
thought this was a cool new dires straits track.
i agree about the message thing.
it's great to hear music saying something intelligent and unambiguous.
i like sting's new stuff for the same reason, but most people here at rp seem to disagree with me on that one!
You can sing, dance and relate to this tune
Protest song for the 21st Century
Well Stated.
Ain't that the truth! 
Though I wish it weren't.
This is such a great song. It's what music is supposed to be about. It actually has a message, wheter you agree with it or not, and it puts it to a great tune. I look forward to hearing more of this one.
Meh.... not bad.
