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PMM wrote:
So to me, JC has been fighting the fight, by every means he can think of for over 20 years now. The music is just one means of many, but everything is directed to the same end.
What end ? I've never picked up anything more consistent from JC other than highlighting whats fucked up, which is fine, but its not an end is it. I've never detected anything approaching an ideology, an alternative or a strategy to adopt. A Wake up call then ? Seriously ? Thats not required either, if you look around the world there is an upsurge of activity against the current systems so no wake up is required. I'm not saying that JC needs to state an ideology, nor does he need to get involved in anything approaching an ideological debate, just lets not pretend that he has an 'end' in mind. You could say his end is just to spark debate, fine, but if he doesn't have an argument himself then he's just a troll right ? Thats okay too, and maybe all a musician like himself can hope to do/be. Maybe he sees that arguing his own politic properly would be counter-productive, alienating, but that attitude would be one of just self preservation right ? As in he'd alienate himself from his audience.

Riverman says its made him think about possible situations where he would take up a gun. Thats interesting I suppose, but I don't think that is the purpose of those images on the album. To me its all just part of the pose. Personally, I've always accepted that during any kind of revolutionary struggle that time would more than likely come, although as I've argued earlier in this thread that maybe there are other approaches that wouldn't lead to that (but its highly unlikely). Also, as marxist and other earlier anarchist methods have never actually delivered, that maybe its probably a good idea to try and think about completely different approaches and ideologies. Thing is though, and this is key, why the fuck is he constantly using the Anarchist Communist flag ? Is that what he is now ? If it isn't then put the flag down. I would be highly impressed if he said 'yep, I am an anarchist Communist'. It would reveal a hitherto unseen and unheard level of political commitment and thought from him.

Also as Ian B says these images merely appear to be glorifying the gun.. Well, they're not really, they're actually glorifying himself with the gun if you consider the context. Troublesome, confusing, and not sharp enough to be interpreted as a dadaist or situationist statement. To me its all just music and image, posturing, entertaining, definitely not thought provoking imo. Also, well, quite offensive and not in a good way, just more in a sad credibility underlining way.

That's the thing. Even if it is what it says it is, what's the aim here other than taking power away from "motherfuckers" and the "greedheads"? What happens when you've done that bit?

Even if there is a plan for when the shooting stops how many righteous revolutions conducted at gun point have survived, aims intact and not been washed away by in-fighting and the tide of reaction running the other way?

Answers on the back of a postage stamp please.

I have to admit, I'm struggling with Psychedelic Revolution. Someone pointed out the lack of variety in the percussion, but Black Sheep was pretty much the same, and I find I enjoy listening to that album from time to time. Some of the songs, like "These Things I know" had an immediacy. I was attracted to the pop, the hooks. Others took longer to get under my skin. But after giving both disks of Psychedelic Revolution several playings, I find I can muster little enthusiam for it. This is mainly due to the songwriting, rather than the lyrics.

The artwork, the posturing, the deliberate use of radical imagary? Well, I find myself struggling to take it seriously, and therefore it doesn't really bother me.