Cost: $6.99
Track Count: 10
I suppose this counts as a bargain bin find. You see, a couple of years ago my copy of RATM's first album was, gasp!, stolen. So when I had the chance to re-purchase the album at a serious discount, I totally did. Therefore, I feel that it is perfectly acceptable to spout off about this record on this here blog. If you feel like I am bending the rules a bit...well, sorry.
Rage Against the Machine burst on to the national scene with the release of 1992's self-titled debut. The time period was perfect for the album and vice versa. RATM was a perfect combination of metal, hip hop, hardcore punk, raw aggression, and unbridled anger. The band was just a perfect amalgamation of all the musical elements that strike a positive chord in your humble writer. The band is a tight playing force and singer Zach de la Rocha was, and still is I reckon, a miniature tornado...just fierce all around.
In '92, Rage Against the Machine was easily the most interesting band on the scene. The combination of all their musical influences and abilities coupled with their political beliefs and absolute confidence in throwing them out to the masses...it was just a rare thing at that time. Rage is obviously a highly influential act to many of the guys and gals that followed behind them. You can thank (or not) Rage for the likes of Korn, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit...etc. Without Rage Against the Machine music would be a little...bland.
Track List and Thoughts
1. Bombtrack. I love the little bass-lick at the beginning of this tune. There is a certain level of intensity that builds up to the main riff. Good song and the perfect track to kick off the album. It's almost a smack to the face saying "Here we are, fucker". As a bonus, it's a little funky, too.
2. Killing In The Name. This song JAMS and is has much more groove than ANY metal tune of that particular era. Name another...I dare ya. Killing in the name also has the most quoted RATM lyric of all time "Fuck you I won't do what you tell me...".
3. Take The Power Back. It's really going back and listening to this album again after a hiatus do I realize how fucking great the bass playing is on this album. This is a fantastic song and the bass carries it. "Bring that shit in...". Tim Commeford kills it on this track.
4. Settle For Nothing. In my opinion, the one song on RATM that does not really fit in with the rest of the grouping. It's a super slow build...more of a spoken word performance by Zach than anything. There are some wicked cool sonic sounds created by Tom Morello on this one, though. Headphones definitely do this track justice. Still, my least favorite song on the album.
5. Bullet In The Head. Full of the signature guitar tones, squeaks, and squeals by guitar hero Tom Morello. When I first heard this album, I was amazed that there were absolutely no noises made by electronic means...other than a guitar. I was convinced there was a DJ in this band. Nope. Bullet In The Head is an amazing song in that respect... Good tune. The breakdown is killer, too.
6. Know Your Enemy. The second best track on this album. It's got far more metal elements within than any other tune on the record. The guitar riff is amazing and drives the record. Like most of the music RATM write there is a seriously heavy funk element that underlies anything metal that they put out. It sounds like heavy rock but these dudes have definitely been influenced by the funk days of yore.
7. Wake Up. Pure unbridled rage in the voice of the singer, Zach. Amazing they lasted as long as they did before breaking up. The voice of the singer should be gone by the end of the first few songs of a live set. Amazing. Oh yeah...Wake Up is a funky and heavy jam. Very nice.
8. Fistful of Steel.
9. Township Rebellion. The bass playing...fuck it's good. Just kind of weird but super technical all at the same time. This song is very strange and interesting. Gives a little insight into the political leanings of the band members at the time.
10. Freedom. The best song on the album. We can argue about it if you want. But, this song is a fucking jamming creature that just gets in your blood. The primal roar at the end of "FREEEEEDOOOOMMMMM...yeah right!", Fuck, this is a good song.
Side Note: Rage Against the Machine was doing a tour with the Beastie Boys back in the day and sure enough I had me some tickets. Obviously, I was psyched. A week before their scheduled performance, Mike D broke his foot (or his hand or knee or something) and the tour was cancelled. Rage promptly broke up soon after and I would never get to see either band live. Rage Against the Machine is together again but I doubt it would be the same. I will never get to see the Beasties live...RIP MCA.
Now I'm sad.
I suppose this counts as a bargain bin find. You see, a couple of years ago my copy of RATM's first album was, gasp!, stolen. So when I had the chance to re-purchase the album at a serious discount, I totally did. Therefore, I feel that it is perfectly acceptable to spout off about this record on this here blog. If you feel like I am bending the rules a bit...well, sorry.
Rage Against the Machine burst on to the national scene with the release of 1992's self-titled debut. The time period was perfect for the album and vice versa. RATM was a perfect combination of metal, hip hop, hardcore punk, raw aggression, and unbridled anger. The band was just a perfect amalgamation of all the musical elements that strike a positive chord in your humble writer. The band is a tight playing force and singer Zach de la Rocha was, and still is I reckon, a miniature tornado...just fierce all around.
In '92, Rage Against the Machine was easily the most interesting band on the scene. The combination of all their musical influences and abilities coupled with their political beliefs and absolute confidence in throwing them out to the masses...it was just a rare thing at that time. Rage is obviously a highly influential act to many of the guys and gals that followed behind them. You can thank (or not) Rage for the likes of Korn, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit...etc. Without Rage Against the Machine music would be a little...bland.
Track List and Thoughts
1. Bombtrack. I love the little bass-lick at the beginning of this tune. There is a certain level of intensity that builds up to the main riff. Good song and the perfect track to kick off the album. It's almost a smack to the face saying "Here we are, fucker". As a bonus, it's a little funky, too.
2. Killing In The Name. This song JAMS and is has much more groove than ANY metal tune of that particular era. Name another...I dare ya. Killing in the name also has the most quoted RATM lyric of all time "Fuck you I won't do what you tell me...".
3. Take The Power Back. It's really going back and listening to this album again after a hiatus do I realize how fucking great the bass playing is on this album. This is a fantastic song and the bass carries it. "Bring that shit in...". Tim Commeford kills it on this track.
4. Settle For Nothing. In my opinion, the one song on RATM that does not really fit in with the rest of the grouping. It's a super slow build...more of a spoken word performance by Zach than anything. There are some wicked cool sonic sounds created by Tom Morello on this one, though. Headphones definitely do this track justice. Still, my least favorite song on the album.
5. Bullet In The Head. Full of the signature guitar tones, squeaks, and squeals by guitar hero Tom Morello. When I first heard this album, I was amazed that there were absolutely no noises made by electronic means...other than a guitar. I was convinced there was a DJ in this band. Nope. Bullet In The Head is an amazing song in that respect... Good tune. The breakdown is killer, too.
6. Know Your Enemy. The second best track on this album. It's got far more metal elements within than any other tune on the record. The guitar riff is amazing and drives the record. Like most of the music RATM write there is a seriously heavy funk element that underlies anything metal that they put out. It sounds like heavy rock but these dudes have definitely been influenced by the funk days of yore.
7. Wake Up. Pure unbridled rage in the voice of the singer, Zach. Amazing they lasted as long as they did before breaking up. The voice of the singer should be gone by the end of the first few songs of a live set. Amazing. Oh yeah...Wake Up is a funky and heavy jam. Very nice.
8. Fistful of Steel.
9. Township Rebellion. The bass playing...fuck it's good. Just kind of weird but super technical all at the same time. This song is very strange and interesting. Gives a little insight into the political leanings of the band members at the time.
10. Freedom. The best song on the album. We can argue about it if you want. But, this song is a fucking jamming creature that just gets in your blood. The primal roar at the end of "FREEEEEDOOOOMMMMM...yeah right!", Fuck, this is a good song.
Side Note: Rage Against the Machine was doing a tour with the Beastie Boys back in the day and sure enough I had me some tickets. Obviously, I was psyched. A week before their scheduled performance, Mike D broke his foot (or his hand or knee or something) and the tour was cancelled. Rage promptly broke up soon after and I would never get to see either band live. Rage Against the Machine is together again but I doubt it would be the same. I will never get to see the Beasties live...RIP MCA.
Now I'm sad.
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