As this being my first Rage review, I must start off by saying that this is a bloody good album. It was released in 2000, not long before Zack de la Rocha left the band. So, I’m going to do my usual routine for this record.
- Microphone Fiend - 7/10
A good intro to the CD, has a very ’feel good’ chorus, good to sing along to when you are in a good mood. Good and easy to get into, too. Good one for a concert, too. ’’An E.F.F.E.C.T, a smooth operator - operator correct me’’. I don’t know.
- Pistol Grip Pump - 10/10
I love this song, the lyrics are OK, but the chorus is just really catchy and has an amazing tune to it. It is good listening to this song when you are honging out with your friends, just as long as they like the band. The rhythm to it is good and jumpy aswell. Essential listen, well worth listening to it several times to get used to this amazing tune.
- Kick out the Jams - 7/10
Another quite good song. The lyrics have obviously been put into through time, making this a good song. The chorus is really ’SHOUT IT OUT!’, it makes you want to mosh and mosh and mosh.
- Renegades of Funk - 9/10
Good remake of the original. Better, even. Excellent chorus, the lyrics are outstanding. That’s basically all, really.
- Beautiful World - 9/10
Slow, but fascinating. One to really relate to, when you are down or whatnot. The song is about everyone being so happy around him, but he wants to cry as it is too good for him. Another essential song, which I am listening to now (as I am writing the review, not as you are reading it). Simply brilliant.
- I’m Housin’ - 8/10
Jumpy and catchy. A very shoutful chorus, amd good lyrics too. One not to miss.
- In My Eyes - 9/10
Really fast intro, and has a ’jumping’ sort of rhythm, making you want to jump yourself. Tom Morello really made this song good. The chorus is superb, amazingly fast for a Rage Against the Machine song.
- How I could just Kill a man - 7/10
’’How I could just.... Kill a man!’’ Really good and easy to get into. A lot like the others, really.
- The Ghost of Tom Joad - 7.5/10
Generally good, meaningful without being too quiet at the same time. That’s all really. Give it a try.
- Down on the Street - 6.5/10
Good, has some meaning to it, but is a tad too hard to get into. Not one to forget, though.
- Street Fighting Man - 7/10
Hmm... Must say it’s a bit similar to the others. Which means it’s not bad. Don’t not listen to it, mind you.
- Maggie’s Farm - 10/10
Now, my opinions were getting shorter and shorter, well here is my favourite on the album. It has a great background riff, and very catchy lyrics, it has this slight touch of repetiveness, but it is done really well. The chorus’ go to working for Maggie’s Farm, then Maggie’s brother, then Maggie’s Ma. ’’No I ain’t gonna work for..... Nah! I AIN’T GONNA WORK FOR MAGGIE’S BROTHER NO MORE!’’ This one really is a must listen, it is amazing. One last thing, it is as good song. Yes, buy the CD for this.
Overall - 8/10
Excellent album and well worth the £10 I paid for it. The first ones to listen to are Pistol Grip Pump, Renegades of Funk, Beautiful world and Maggie’s Farm.
I write messages on money.
It’s my own form of social protest.
A letter printed on paper that no one will destroy
Passed indiscriminately across race, class and gender lines
And written in the blood that keeps the beast alive.
A quiet little hijacking
On the way to the check-out corner.
And a federal crime.
I hope that someone will find my message one day when they really need it.
Like I do.