Propagandhi: Today’s Empires, Tomorrow’s Ashes
Rating: B+
Fat Wreck Chords
I have to admire this band. For over 10 years, the anarchist ideologies and humane convictions that have fueled Propagandhi have remained intact. With “Today’s Empires…” this trio shows no signs of softening as they reiterate their sincere commitment to change. Maybe, musically speaking, their delivery has been refined over the years, but they still play the legitimate, blazing wrist, hard-core music that one can expect from a true hard-core, punk, anarchist…ah the hell with labels…band. As with previous releases, Propagandhi pull no punches. Here they expose everyone from founding fathers to corporate dupes, organized religion to unorganized punks who are just out to pretend. Sure, it’s a lot of PC songs that some may find a bit self righteous but I would take this album over any lyrically challenged, i.e.: “keep rollin’ rollin’ rollin’,” song any day.
Be warned, you may find that they may be waving an admonishing finger at you. To further drive home their message, Propagandhi have included a enhanced track on the CD that not only features the band but a report by investigative journalist, William Blum, on the hypocrisy of foreign policy, and an article by author/professor Ward Churchill on the government’s tactics against the Black Panther Party. This highly potent CD is packaged to make the point that “Knowledge is power – Arm yourself.”
V.L.
