The Classic Record Review by Rob Samuels
Welcome readers, listeners and viewers alike. I would like to wish each of you a corking new year. I'm sure 2008 will be an excellent one – in fact I'm going to make a few predictions for the year ahead in the crazy world that is popular music:
Keith Richards will fall from the top of the CN tower, land on his feet and walk away unharmed – because he is immortal. Amy Winehouse will kick drugs – her career will die, but she'll write a book about her troubles entitled ‘They tried to make me go to rehab, I said "Aye – go on then."' Finally Britney Spears will retire to life of quiet prosperity as a leek farmer in North Wales.
When all of the above news items break on 411mania.com I want you all to leave a comment saying ‘Rob Samuels – THE ORACLE said it first'. Anyway enough talking, speculating and bull shitting, we have a record to analyse damn it!
This weeks record is groundbreaking territory for yours truly. Firstly it's only from the bloody nineties! I know I'm shocked too, I didn't think I owned a record from that particular decade. (Because, y'know Oasis) It's also a rap-metal album! Rap metal! Crazy. Not only that but I have previously stated that this album is indeed one of the best debut's of all time! What an honour.
Begin the guessing game.
Ooooh it's exciting
…
You figured it out yet?
…
Yes?
…
That quickly?
…
Fair enough.
Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine
In honor of the bands reformation's anniversary (Wow that was a mouth full) I'm going to review their debut album. A record that went triple platinum and shook the world. I haven't listened to this album in ageeees. I hope it's as good as I remember. Anyway I think we should get this show on the road.
The Line-up
Here is the line-up as it's featured on the record sleeve. Tim Commerford went under a different alias for every album.
Rage Against the Machine:
Zack De La Rocha – Vocals
Tom Morello – Guitars
Timmy C. – Bass
Brad Wilk - Drums
Additional personnel:
Maynard James Keenan - Additional Vocals
Stephen Perkins – Trashcan Percussion
Production:
Production – Rage Against the Machine and GGGarth (Garth Richardson)
Mixing – Andy Wallace
The background
Known for their political activism as much as their music Rage were formed in 1991 by Tom Morello. He quickly recruited Zack De La Rocha who was a local rapper. Morello had seen De La Rocha freestyle and had been impressed enough to offer him the role. The rhythm section was made up of De La Rocha's old friend Tim Commerford on bass and Brad Wilk on drums. The quartet begun playing straight away under the name ‘Rage Against the Machine' which was a title lifted from one De La Rocha's songs.
After several offers the band eventually chose to sign for Epic Records (Now of course a part of Sony BMG) Epic were happy to kowtow to all of Rage's requests, and seemed happy to accept the bands very political music. The album was recorded throughout 1992 and eventually released in November, causing a stir amongst fans and professionals alike. Not only is it a hard-hitting Metal album, but it also contains some very left wing political statements, which could (and did) offend millions. Obviously I'm not a filthy Communist, (Damn Commies) I don't necessarily agree with Rage's political views but I do like passionate music – and this record is about as passionate as music gets.
As we now know this record would go on to become a huge hit and certainly one of the biggest success stories of the nineties. (Not that there was ANY competition – god I hate the nineties) The band would wait four years before releasing their follow up record: ‘Evil Empire'. This album sold huge amounts despite being a let down – Rage had that much selling power.
Lets find out why…
The music
As we tune into the record we are treated to a slow build up before the ‘Bombtrack' explodes (Geddit?) with a grunt from Zach De La Rocha. There are very clear Led Zeppelin influences in the music, and we are treated to some raw and aggressive vocals. He spits out the lines with such venom that you actually get angry yourself. BUUURN! Yeah!
Right I've calmed down now…
…Until the familiar intro to ‘Killing in the Name' kicks in - The aggression and attitude just within the guitar line is impressive. De La Rocha's vocals add a bit of extra bite as he bellows out his message. The song has a basic structure until about four minutes in when we are hit by the infamous bridge. I will admit to screaming this part out whenever it's come on in a bar. Telling your chums 'fuck you I wont do what you tell me' is very satisfying. This is what Rage are all about.
If ‘Bombtrack' displayed the bands rock and metal influences then ‘Take the Power back' showcases their modern style. We have a really funky Chilli Peppers style bass line topped with a very experimental and grungy guitar sound. This is backed with some impactful yet intricate drums which results in an eclectic mix of styles. Somehow it holds together well to create a very different sound to their previous two tracks.
‘Settle for Nothing' starts in eerie fashion – the bassline is very reminiscent of early eighties Iron Maiden. Like their NWOBHM predecessors they explode into the chorus with De La Rocha screaming passionately. This song is all about the political message it's not my favorite on the record, but it does provide an interesting antithesis to the previous tracks. Plus the crazy Jazzy solo is well worth a listen. I would describe this song as Bebop-Spook-Metal (That's a genre now)
Admittedly the last track was a bit of a momentum killer, but we launch back into action with the monotonous intro to ‘Bullet in the head'. Fear not, monotony is a compliment in this case. The very simple and dragging bassline really adds to the impact of the lyrics and gives the song definition. This track is a lot more electronically orientated, but we do get a proper Rage ending when the song suddenly explodes into a trademark aggression-packed outro.
Know Your Enemy provides us with another funky intro as Zach informs us that they're back with another bombtrack. Continuity - I like it. This song is purely Riff-tastic as we get some juicy licks amplified to the max. The verse flows beautifully, before breaking down into the aggressive chorus. I love the difference between the smooth verse and the jerky chorus - it adds tension and conflict to the song which is echoed with the lyrics. The song ends with the ironic line ‘All of which are American dreams' drilled into us in true propaganda style. A very intelligently written track.
Just to prove my Led Zeppelin point above my ears are treated to an interesting adaptation of the ‘Kashmir' riff. (God I'm good) ‘Wake Up' was used in one of the Matrix films I believe. It is a very interesting song which again mixes a flowing chorus with a more staccato verse. It really keeps your attention well as the song develops. In true metal style ‘Wake Up' comprises of various sections which blend together to tell a story. This track is a real mix of styles you can hear a bit of Maiden, Metallica, Led Zeppelin and hell maybe a bit of Rage in there.
The dirty grunge intro to ‘Fistful of Steel' comes next which leads into the more sedated bass-driven verse. This song is more in the mould of ‘Bullet in the head' a welcome interlude after the intense song previous to this. In typical Rage style we enter an aggressive middle section which leads us to a high-octane outro.
‘Township Rebellion' is probably the weirdest song on the album, just because of that bass effect, it freaks me out a lot. I know is essentially just a flanged note, but it fucks with my ears. This leads into the steady riff-tastic chorus. Again this track is more geared towards their experimental electronic style, which just shows the surprising versatility of the band. Of course all of the sounds on the album were made with only three instruments. Crazy.
The final track is the extremely aggressive and very passionate ‘Freedom'. Zach informs us that ‘anger is a gift' and the band join him in that sentiment ripping up the studio with some powerful music. The track ends with De La Rocha screaming ‘Freedom' and finally 'Yeah right' with the band destroying their equipment at the end. A very literal anarchic outro which sums up the albums message well. A good Closing track.
The 411
‘Rage Against the Machine' is very impressive for the amount of sounds and styles the band can generate from just bass, guitars, drums and vocals. They can create some real synthesized electronic sounds, and combine them with more traditional rock and metal noises to create an album that is a bizarre mix of modern and old.
Combine that with the obvious passion and raw energy and this record is a real winner. This was as innovative album that really showed that genres like Rap and Metal could be combined effectively. It wasn't the first or last time these two styles were blended, but it was certainly the most successful.
Therefore I award ‘Rage Against the Machine:
5 Che Guevara's (Ahhh… sweet irony!)
As always, if you wish to leave a comment please do so. Hell, email me if you want to go old school. Also feel free to add me as a friend on myspace www/myspace.com/robsamuels. I don't ever go on but you can claim to have a celebrity as a friend!
Ta la
Rob Samuels (Dreamweaver)
