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How Cynical Are You?
Test your political commitment with these three tracks.
These are tough times for anyone who wants to take a stand. Here are three responses that suggest it may not matter much what we do. My own take is that the depravity of current political discourse makes it even more important for us to take an action. But you may not agree. Whatever your personal / political views, please rate the following songs, using the system established by Terry Barr.
Lou Reed, Strawman
Most listeners don’t associate Lou Reed with political commentary. But no song could be more strident or bitter than “Strawman.” Reed even calls into question the moral sanctimony of musicians: “Does anybody need another self-righteous rock singer whose nose he says has led him straight to God?” (lyrics in the YouTube comment).
Kinks, Loony Balloon
Most Ray Davies songs avoid political commitment. The rare exception (other than the sadly neglected Preservation Acts 1 and 2) is Down All the Days from the (at this point)…
