The Death of Art 4

"Where words fail, music speaks." Hans Christian Andersen


More musical stuff!!!

Ok, so I got the new Rise Against album! And I really like it! But one things bothers me... A lot. People keep putting up reviews on ITunes (yes more itunes stuff XD) that were all, "I loved this album... Until Hero of War! How could the *continues ranting*"

Now, I don't mind the song, it's one of my favorites... but message wise, it is about corrupt soldiers, which is what gets people mad. It's about someone who joins the army (or some other branch, take your pick) And he makes friends, but doesn't quite know what he is getting himself into. He ends up going somewhere (they don't tell us) and capturing a guy they are supposed to get, tearing him away from his family and friends, and beating him up (Mind you, this is the PG version...) The guy, orig, not the kidnapped dude, then goes on to say how there was a lady who was coming at him, and he told her to stop "I begged her to stay," But she keeps coming, so he shoots her. The chorus after that is "A hero of war, is that what they see? Just medals and scars, so damn proud of me. I buried my flag, now it gathers dust, but it's a flag that I love, it's the only thing I trust."

Now, I don't mind it. People may hate me for that, especially veterans. But before people judge, they need to realize, they have a reason for writing these songs. I always imagine some WWI era soldier, or someone from an ancient war. War had different rules back then, and who knows what could have happened. Sometimes I even think as recently as WWII (which was pretty darn recent.) People say they are against soldiers and that people who think that song is amazing and has a great message need to get a life and all kinds of other things... The problem is, yeah the song is anti war, but the last verse is there for a reason! Personally, I think the guy was "tricked" into it, didn't know what he was getting into, and regrets his actions now. That's just me... But people will say I'm anti-soldiers because of it! (I'm not, btw... My Papou [grandfather] was int he army, my dad was a marine, my brother a navy man, my sister was in the air force, and my cousin is gonna join the army). People need to learn that music is supposed to convey a message, a mental image, something beyond the superficial words that are sung. But that is slowly fading away now that pop culture consists of messages spoon fed to us through music. Rap, in my opinion, certainly doesn't help!

So yeah... Another random rant about art. Comment if you want, I love hearing other peoples opinions!!!


My side not for the night: I LOVE the new album, and I really don't hear that much of a change in Rise Against's style... I really like it, and will be more than happy to lend it to who ever wants to listen! Or I'll burn you a copy.