Senior Editor Brett Callwood
Manic Street Preachers
"The Masses Against the Classes"
A typically boisterous call to working class arms by the Welsh alt-rockers.
"The country was founded on the principle that the primary role of government is to protect property from the majority - and so it remains," goes the intro before the Manics crash in. "We're the only thing left to believe in," they sing. Quite!
Operations Manager Robin Rose
Yes
"Heart of the Sunrise"
From the album FRAGILE, this intro is the benchmark for any Prog/Classic Rock Band (or any band for that matter) going forward. The arrangement is intricate, dynamic and seductive, weaving shifting rhythms and melodies. Furious riffs, powerful bass and drum beats and the magic fingers of Rick Wakeman on many keyboards cannot be compared. But as always, the prophetic Jon Anderson is the ethereal pinnacle of all YESongs of course. Here he laments the alienation of humans from humanity...that was 1971 and not much has changed...even with millisecond connections via tech, we are being grouped into a caste system of have and have nots, hustling to get you more $ stuff or conversely making one homeless. It is through Jon's spiritual optimistic Heart that the 'sun will rise again'; it is a message that still matters and maybe we'll experience better times together ....maybe...
Editorial Intern Anna Jordan
Wieuca (feat. Faye Webster)
"Friendster"
I like tracks that catch me off guard, and this song caught me by surprise with its breathing, industrial production and deviation from Webster's solo style. Even when it's not playing, I'm thinking about this song.
Associate Editor Ruby Risch
Erykah Badu
"Penitentiary Philosophy"
This track will launch you into Badu's beautiful atmosphere of rage. The neo-soul trenchant critique of society is the lead-off song from Mama’s Gun (2000), but if you’re queuing it up, you might as well do yourself a favor and just keep going on this LP that remains unrelentingly alive.
Editorial Intern Cade Pinkerson
Mindless Self Indulgence
"Shut Me Up"
While undoubtedly the most well-known hit from their fourth album, that doesn't take away from the insane power and eclectic diversity of this track. Embodying elements of hip-hop, punk, and electronica, MSI cannot be confined to just one genre label. The wicked guitars and high-speed drumming make for a great mosh-worthy tune, while the whip sound effects and keyboard noises perfect the song, showing off the band's charming cheekiness in all its glory.
Manic Street Preachers photo by Drew de F Fawkes, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
