Rage Against the Machine - Guerilla Radio

The Battle of Los Angeles was one of the first albums that I owned, thanks to "Guerilla Radio" being on The Countdown on MuchMusic. I'm pretty sure my mom had no idea what any of the song, album, or band were all about. But I'm glad she did get it for me ... artists like Rage Against the Machine really helped develop my perspective as a teenager to be inquisitive and not to be ever-trusting of institutional thought.

I had been recently relistening to this album before the recently fulminating crisis with Iran. It vexes to see that the themes (and even the specific context) of this song is still so harrowingly relevant today. 2020's been a mess so far. I hope one day I won't have to be a resigned cynic. For now, I will grieve with the world for those lost and whom/what will be lost.

"Guerilla Radio" by Rage Against the Machine from their 1999 album The Battle of Los Angeles

Addendum: I guess it's almost fitting that Rage Against the Machine (with Zach) is actually getting back together to play a few shows, namely Coachella this year. While I normally would be ecstatic to know that a band so influential in my development was getting back together, I also lament that their music is still (so) relevant.

Oddnesse - Are You Down?

Yes.

Guess I'm on an Oddnesse binge.

"Are You Down?" by Oddnesse, single from 2018

Oddnesse - I Used To

I sometimes wonder why my music preferences invariably fall back to more melancholic sounds. I think I've come to realize that it's not because I like returning to those states to then indulge in a self-pity party. While I do agree that these doses of melancholy serve to remind of times of lower tide, I then remember finding my way out of those holes. It reminds me of the relief that came upon when those past times finally ended. It reminds me of the relief that I experience now regularly, now that I am no longer blighted by old conditions and mindsets. It also reminds me that humanity is invariably connected with trials and pain and encourages me to stay humble and in tune with that side of life, to remember that beautiful spectrum of our humanity.

"I Used To" by Oddnesse, single from 2018