Battle Of Los Angles - Rage Against The Machine

[Danielj 1]

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

I listened to this album after Dylan's Freewheelin'. The contrast was night and day musically. One acoustic guitar chording and his trademark vocals, compared to Heavy Single Note Riffs and rap. But it was refreshing. And although RAGE is much more graphic and violent, I thought "These are two artists (Dylan and Zack de la Rocha) have essentially the same ideas. They sing protest songs, Rage goes into detail politically, and Dylan doesn't but both their points get across. Their metaphors are beautifully crafted, and really punch their points. Two albums that I love, released 30 years apart, but that still hold the same concepts. One for the relaxed side of my soul, and one for the angry, wide awake side.

It starts off with A heavy song Testify with intense lyrics about the media blowing things out of proportion and getting things wrong and proclaiming it to the world. Then goes onto the hit of the album Guerilla radio with fantastic instrumental performances, and an inspired rap about the 2000 election. talks about Gore and Bush.

As the album goes on I hear the viciousness and passion in de la Rocha's voice in songs like Born as Ghosts, and Calm Like A Bomb.

The band is very politically aware, and to fully understand what they are talking about you need to be fairly knowledgeable on the subject. But what impresses me, is that even before understanding it fully (With the help of Songfacts ) I can feel what he's talking about and agree with him.

On top of all of these radical lyrics and opinions is also a great hard rock record.

Tom Morello never ceases to amaze me. One of the top and most influential guitarists of late, he goes places with the riffs I would certainly never think of going in that type of riff, but it leaves me going wow. I know that if ever I am in the mood for something to get my anger out, or just to rock out to, this is my #1 album.

Hard Rock at it's finest.

[Batman 2]

This album is so intense

[TheLizard 1]

Hey an album I know! Freakin' sweet!

And I can sorta see the Dylan/Rage comparison. Rage is just ultra-pissed and rocks you till your guts fall out.

[Danielj 1]

Good way to put it!

[Batman 2]

A sidenote, I doubt Guerrila Radio is about the 2000 election as the album came out in 1998, and they don't mention Gore or Bush.

[Danielj 1]

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord None of the above f**k it cut the cord"

[Batman 2]

Ah.

Well, Gore was in politics before the election anyways. Is Bush supposed to be the son of a drug lord? Well, I still don't see why they would be talking about the 2000 election in 1998.

[Danielj 1]

I'm pretty sure it was '99 and was probably during the campaign or maybe even before and it was just obvious who the two frontrunners were.

[Batman 2]

I just checked allmusic, and yes, it was 1999.

You win...this time.

[SoulGirl 0]

i love this album. i love the way his voice sounds when he raps. i love the ballsy guitar riffs and raw anger you get from the music. great album!

[Batman 2]

He's not an excellent rapper, but he's certainly an angry one!

[SoulGirl 0]

yes, it's quite hot! in that dangerous kind of way, that is!