IMHO, unless you're a folk singer, you should leave politics out of your music. I turn to Rock and Roll when I want to escape such mundane topics..
Beastie Boys...political?! Next, you're going to tell me the Pope is Catholic! I just don't get into actors and musicians getting all political. Just shut up and sing me a song or act in a movie for me!
yawn. the last album of theirs that had any value to it was check your head. and the only value was it was good to skate to....kidding... who doesn't make political albums now?
So who ya who ya gonna vote for?.....word! thats the first thing I thought when I saw the title..I think it will be horrible!
Heaven forbid Rock or Hip Hop should ever have anything to say about the political realm. Bob Dylan, Jefferson Airplane, Creedence, Public Enemy, NWA, The Coup, Gang of Four ... that's not music!
In fairness I had a cynical reaction to this news too, but try not to let my cynicism get in the way of an open-minded listen. There's no question that they're a faded act, but I believe in assessing an artist for where they're at now without comparing current work to the glory days overmuch. It's a subject of constant argument with some of my friends. Think they're Palin fans?
UM...Punk Rock anyone? "If you think that punk rock doesn't mix with politics, you're wrong" quoted by some punk rock band.
I hate political punk. I hate political music. It seems more like propaganda most of the time instead an open expression of ones views and generally bores me since most messages in music that is geared politically are repetitive, unoriginal, lack much thought, uninspired and usually just an angle for the band to market themselves (underground music included.) I think "why put all that effort into that when you can do something REAL like become part of the 'system' work towards changing it from the inside and actually help people first hand?" That said, I think it has a right to exist, in some instances historically was important (sorry, not in the US, again it's more of a marketing tool here to me and seems faked) I'm happy for anyone who digs it, and leave it there.
I love the Beastie Boys. To the 5 Boroughs and The Mix-Up: 2007 are weak and sad. Hello Nasty was better but the tour supporting it was mind-blowing. Seeing them do a show "in the round" in Milwaukee was jaw-droppingly good. They should have stopped... right... THEN. But you know what? There's nothing sadder than a band trying to push its relevance way past the scope of their relevance. Be producers, film-makers anything... But this is all a bit sad. I mean, what kid in 2008 will listen to a Beastie Boys album ad be influenced politically in any way? Us old fans know what they stand for and either agree or disagree. And the kids nowadays have System of a Down and Rage Against the Machine to speak for them. Seeing Adam Yauch promoting whatever film thing is postered all over NYC is a big turn-off. It's just sad and puzzling. Kind of reminds me of when IFC (Independent Film Channel) was hyping the fact that Flea was highlighting a month of "edgy" films a few years back. Really? Can a promotion get more bizarre. I mean, Flea is fine, but why would I care what films he likes. Political punk is fine and dandy. Just know your limits and realize people are there for the music.
I'm not sure exactly which films you're talking about, but he may be promoting the ones that his distribution company handles: http://www.oscilloscopepictures.com/ (No love for The In Sound from Way Out?)
Fair enough. Certain musical genres are 'born' out of the current political climate.. Folk and Punk come to mind and punk should have been included in my prior list of exclusions. Politicis are their whole reason for existing. To me, the Beastie Boys are comic relief. Frankly, I don't care about their views on the Iraq War or the presidency or any of that...
Well, I'll also say this: When the Ramones sang "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg," that was great. Too bad they then sang "Let the Punishment Fit the Crime" later on. And too bad they didn't quit while they were ahead years ago so I could just have fun memories of their early hits.
Punk existed far before it got political. The Sonics and a lot of other bands in the 60's were punk as fuck, but aren't noticed, and were more about loud, . You can give the MC5 some credit, but most ORIGINAL punks only credit their "Back in the USA" album which was their only non-political/social one due to contracts though later "Kick out the Jams" would be seen as the classic. The Stooges may have touched on some SOCIAL issues (different from political) but are arguably the FIRST punk band (IMO) and never really dived into political statements, and would you take Iggy's opinion on that seriously either? The New York Dolls. Enough said about those drugged up freaks. Hardcore REALLY put more politics into what was known as "punk" though. The Clash being the forefathers of politics in punk inspired others too, but they came slightly after punk was created. True, a few early "punk" bands played with it, but just a little. Sorry, I'm just anal on music history. Punk started out of bored art students, pissed off druggies in crap areas and people who just missed good old rock and roll. Not politics. That came later. I like that the Ramones never got very political. I don't take a heroine addict, 2 alcoholics and a crazed conservatives views on politics very seriously but I will take their feelings about love, hate and living in Queens. OK oK, enough of my mad ramblings. I'm not trying to argue anyone or something dumb. I just love pop music/history.
