Torture by Music? October 22, 2009
Posted by Matt in politics.Tags: Gitmo, music torture, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Rage Against the Machine
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CNN reports that several American rock artists, including REM, Pearl Jam, and Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine, have filed a Freedom of Information Act request to find out if their music was a part of interrogation techniques at the Guantanamo Bay prison. The request stems from the testimony of former Gitmo prisoners who said that heavy metal, rock, and rap music were part of interrogations.
Really? If I was interrogated by being forced to listen to Rage Against the Machine, that would be awesome…and probably a little counter-productive, as those of you familiar with their music would probably guess. “Killing in the Name” would totally make you want to start a prison riot. And Pearl Jam is one of the greatest bands in the entire world – who wouldn’t want to listen to them? Granted, if they were forced someone to listen to “Bugs” from the Vitalogy album over and over again, I can see where it might cause some temporary insanity, but torture? Come on.
If you really want to torture them, make them listen to the closest new country station. Lord knows I’d tell them anything to turn that garbage off.
What do you think would make good torture music?
**UPDATE**
There are 35 musicians/songs listed explicitly in the response to the FOIA request:
AC/DC
Aerosmith
Barney Theme Song
The Bee Gees
Britney Spears
Bruce Springsteen
Christina Aguilera
David Gray
Deicide
Don McClean
Dope
Dr. Dre
Drowning Pool
Eminem
Hed P.E.
James Taylor
Limp Bizkit
Marily Manson
Matchbox Twenty
Meatloaf
Meow Mix Jingle
Metallica
Neil Diamond
Nine Inch Nails
Pink
Prince
Queen
Rage Against the Machine
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Redman
Saliva
Sesame Street Theme Music
Stanley Brothers
The Star Spangled Banner
Tupac Shakur
Ten For Tuesday: Music to Play LOUD! July 28, 2009
Posted by Matt in top ten.Tags: albums, Beastie Boys, Black Keys, Green Day, guns n roses, Jane's Addiction, loud music, Pantera, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Sonic Youth, The Hold Steady, volume
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What is it that makes us want to turn some types of music up loud, raise a fist in the air and rock out? There is just something about it that makes us want to blast the decibels to an extreme, eardrum-bursting level and lose ourselves in a cloud of crowd-pleasing power chords. Some albums are just that way and, despite the fact that they will no doubt contribute to me needing a hearing aid by the age of 40, I’m glad to have them. Below are ten albums, in no particular order, that I love to blast out loud. Enjoy.
10. Beastie Boys – License to Ill
I thought about including my favorite Beastie’s album, Paul’s Boutique, but their testosterone-fueled party anthem-filled debut seemed more applicable in this instance. Just try to keep the volume low on classic songs like “Rhymin’ and Stealin’,” “No Sleep Till Brooklyn,” “Brass Monkey,” or “Fight for Your Right,” it can’t be done.
9. The Black Keys – Rubber Factory
You can’t go wrong with this loud and crunchy blues-rock duo, whose Jimmy Page-like blues riffs can knock anybody flat on their back. From the opening track, “When the Lights Go Out” (If you’ve seen “Black Snake Moan,” you’ve heard it) through the rest of this great collection, they hit as hard as anyone in the business today.
8. Pantera – Cowboys from Hell
This one will take you back. Pantera burst on the scene with this blast of aggressive metal in 1990 and it still resonates today. Dimebag Darrell was one of the most distinctive guitarists of an era and Phil Anselmo’s vocals are rife with unbridled fury. I put this album, with great songs like “Psycho Holiday” and “Cemetary Gates,” on when I’m tired at work. It perks me right up.
7. The Hold Steady – A Positive Rage
The Hold Steady have been called the greatest bar band in America and this live collection displays them in all of their ragged glory. Songs like “Stuck Between Stations” and “Massive Nights,” are meant for playing in noisy bars with amps turned up loud.
6. Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking
There are few songs from the past 20 years that are more mind blowing than “Mount Song” turned up as loud as it will go. Just try it out and thank me later.
5. Radiohead – The Bends
The first of Radiohead’s incredible trilogy of albums from 1995-2000, this strongly rivals OK Computer as the best work by the greatest band in the world. The intricacies of this album cannot be heard at low levels, just pump it up loud and lose yourself in the sonic goodness of “High and Dry” and “Fake Plastic Trees.” It is an experience not to be missed.
4. Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation
I admit that I didn’t always appreciate the artsy noise-rock of Sonic Youth. Today I don’t know what I would do without them. This breakthrough album from 1988 is a blast from the beginning with “Teenage Riot” to the 14 minute “Trilogy” at the end.
3. Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine
This debut from everyone’s favorite rap-rock Marxists is violent, rage-filled shotgun blast that took the country by storm in the early-90’s. “Killing in the Name Of” is, without a doubt, one of the greatest, loudest anti-authority anthems ever put down.
2. Guns N’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction
What do you get when you mix 70’s stadium rock, punk sensibilities, and a good dose of sleaze, drugs, and debauchery from the streets of L.A.? Guns N’ Roses. And this is definitely their best work. “Paradise City” is one of the greatest rock anthem ever recorded and it cannot be played at low levels.
1. Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown
Not the best collection on the list, but it is my favorite from the current year and I happen to be listening to it right now, so this incredible concept album definitely needs a spot. Like many others on the list, this album is meant to be experienced as a whole, so I would encourage you to eschew the Itunes-fueled idea of downloading individual songs and get the entire thing. You won’t be disappointed.
What about you? What do you like to turn up to 11?
A Lesson Learned at Work March 12, 2008
Posted by Matt in music, random.Tags: coffee, Ipod, Rage Against the Machine, work
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Problem: Dozing at my desk during the afternoon hours at work
Solution: Drink a large cup of coffee and play Rage Against The Machine’s self-titled debut album loudly on my Ipod (while wearing headphones).
Resolution: The method worked and I was quite alert for the rest of the afternoon.
Side Effects: An inexplicable urge to burn down a federal building while wearing a Che Guevara t-shirt and screaming, “Freedom! Yeah right!”
