Rage Against the Machine...

[Muzzzz]

One thing I've always wanted Tom Morello to explain - I don't know if anyone's ever read an interview where he's mentioned it:

What the hell did he mean by "Arm The Homeless"??  :?

I think it was in fact a psuedo-Spoonerism, and should have read "Home the armless".

bahaha i think "Giving alms to the homeless" is maybe what he was getting at

[Philly Q]

One thing I've always wanted Tom Morello to explain - I don't know if anyone's ever read an interview where he's mentioned it:

What the hell did he mean by "Arm The Homeless"??  :?

I think it was in fact a psuedo-Spoonerism, and should have read "Home the armless".

 :lol: :lol:

I guess the armless deserve homing.  I have less sympathy for the legless.

[noodleplugerine]

One thing I've always wanted Tom Morello to explain - I don't know if anyone's ever read an interview where he's mentioned it:

What the hell did he mean by "Arm The Homeless"??  :?

I think it was in fact a psuedo-Spoonerism, and should have read "Home the armless".

Prize winning :D :D

[Elliot]

What he meant was conscript the homeless into the Army and put them on the frontline in Afghanistan, so they cease to be a problem to decent hardworking taxpayers.  See Tom Morello is a crypto-neo-con just in RATM for the $$$$$$

[Twinfan]

The whole political angle to them turns me right off.  I can't abide them.

A bit like System Of A Down.

[Philly Q]

The whole political angle to them turns me right off.  I can't abide them.

A bit like System Of A Down.

I must admit I often don't pay any attention to lyrics.  It took me 30 years to realise A Passage to Bangkok is a drugs song.  :oops:

Having said that, it's almost impossible to ignore the lyrics on RATM songs.  With SOAD, I can't understand any of the words anyway, so it doesn't spoil my enjoyment. 

[lulusg]

This is truly a great forum, each one of you!!. Intelligent bunch with a great sense of humor!!!

[Bird]

Having said that, it's almost impossible to ignore the lyrics on RATM songs.  With SOAD, I can't understand any of the words anyway, so it doesn't spoil my enjoyment

.  +1  :lol:

[sambo]

I can't help but think that they are attempting to sell politics... do they really think that meaningful political change will come by empowering 14-year-olds who couldn't have the slightest idea about politics to overthrow the government? Let's be realistic, that would TOTALLY $%&# up the world. The political message really seems like more of a selling point to appeal to teen angst. Which I disagree with.

It seems to me you are placing too much emphasis on the lyrics and meaning of the songs. Who cares if RATM don't really have a clue about the intricacies of government and politics- it's not like they're running for office or anything! I think their appeal is more to do with the incessant screaming and loud music. :D Sometimes nothing beats a good angry protest song, you know?

I also can't really see what's so great about Morello's riffs either... they seem a little derivative and pretty rarely ever break away from a pentatonic scale. And I would argue that his solos, infact, ARE wanky (see Know Your Enemy)

But yes, their lyrics are truly amazing. Brilliantly thought out with a superb and poignant political message. Here is a superb example:

I wouldn't say his riffs are in any way derivative- they have a pretty distinguishable sound in fact. And the fact that he sticks to the pentatonic seems a pretty meaningless issue to me- if it sounds good I don't care how basic it is!

We may have to just disagree on the solos, as I don't think his are anyway near the likes of the popular shredders out there. Mostly, (including Know Your Enemy) they are catchy, memorable and interesting (to me, anyway!) :)



And some of the lyrics ARE pretty good, but everyone likes a bit of mindless swearing every now and then. :D

[noodleplugerine]

Transmission third world war third round
A decade of the weapon of sound above ground
No shelter if you're lookin' for shade
I lick shots at the brutal charade
As the polls close like a casket
On truth devoured
A Silent play in the shadow of power
A spectacle monopolized
The camera's eyes on choice disguised
Was it cast for the mass who burn and toil?
Or for the vultures who thirst for blood and oil?
Yes a spectacle monopolized
They hold the reins and stole your eyes
Or the fistagons
The bullets and bombs
Who stuff the banks
Who staff the party ranks
More for Gore or the son of a drug lord
None of the above $%&# it cut the cord

Ace lyrics imo. I love the way he bounces the rhythm in his vox.

[Philly Q]

Who cares if RATM don't really have a clue about the intricacies of government and politics- it's not like they're running for office or anything!

I should think Morello has a pretty good understanding of politics, at least in a theoretical sense - he has a degree in Political Science from Harvard!  :)

[nfe]

I can't help but think that they are attempting to sell politics... do they really think that meaningful political change will come by empowering 14-year-olds who couldn't have the slightest idea about politics to overthrow the government? Let's be realistic, that would TOTALLY $%&# up the world. The political message really seems like more of a selling point to appeal to teen angst. Which I disagree with.

It seems to me you are placing too much emphasis on the lyrics and meaning of the songs. Who cares if RATM don't really have a clue about the intricacies of government and politics- it's not like they're running for office or anything! I think their appeal is more to do with the incessant screaming and loud music. :D Sometimes nothing beats a good angry protest song, you know?

I completely disagree. If you market yourself as a political band (marketing your politics being disgusting in the first place) and say from the outset that it's the message that matters, then it's probably best not to exist in complete hypocrisy to the "message" your sloganeering buffoon of a vocalist is giving out.

If your music is political, then the politics comes first, otherwise everyone would think Skrewdriver were an awesome oi band as opposed to nazi imbeciles.

[Will]

everyone likes a bit of mindless swearing every now and then. :D

No, I really don't!really pisses me off. In the context of a song, it kinda shows to me that they couldn't be bothered to think of a real word to express how they feel. Not explicitly complaining about RATM, just my opinion :P

Noodle, I see exactly where you are coming from, and its notable that the end of each sentence of your response was "IMO"; I just don't agree, its not my thing, and I bet you don't like what I like :P
I don't believe he has written top riffs, and his 'tricks' (that non guitarring mates have sent me) aren't impressive or show that much more that hasn't been done.
anyway... not shiteeting on them, just adding another voice to the people who don't like, so its not an overpowering THEY ARE GODZ WOWZ-OMG-BBQ :P

edit: lol... shiteting

[noodleplugerine]

I don't see why RATM are hypocrits?

They join a big label so that they can promote their message, and yes they make money, but I heard that they donated all their profit from their tours to a mexican militia or something.

I could be wrong though.

[nfe]

I don't see why RATM are hypocrits?

They join a big label so that they can promote their message, and yes they make money, but I heard that they donated all their profit from their tours to a mexican militia or something.

I could be wrong though.

Sorry, but "We are anti-global conglomerates!!!" and being signed to one of the globes biggest is hypocritical. Being hard line lefties and millionaires also does not compute. Pulling out of Download Festival last minute because of a bigger offer from Leeds/Reading?

Now, I do admittedly sit EXTREMELY far to the left, but I'm very black and white on these things.