Customer Reviews

Friendly Fascism

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the first Consolidated CD I ever bought, and I was lucky enough to buy it at a Consolidated show. I saw them open up for Meat Beat Manifesto in the Spring of '92, and was in awe of both bands. First of all, I've never seen a band stop their show multiple times to allow people to come up on stage and start heated debates about abortion, oil, the war in the Persian Gulf, Gay Rights, Meat eating, our Patriarchal society, our Klansman President, etc. But beyond their live performance, this CD is phenomenal, and if you don't have it, your home audio collection is suffering. This is the only CD I've reviewed to date that I've given 5 stars. A little less industrial than their 1990 release "The Myth of Rock," this CD is jammed full of true rap songs. I put these dudes up there with Beck and the Beastie Boys as the most talented, sincere white rappers of our time. On no other CD of their's will you find the heated debates between concert goers as on this album. From a marine yelling, I THINK YOU ALL ARE HYPOCRITES, AND I'D LIKE YOU TO DEFEND YOURSELVES to left-wing liberals bashing the bible, skinheads, ignorant men who oppress women, and the rediculous idea of going to war over oil, this CD is a must have. I love putting this CD on at my house when I have guests over who know nothing of the Consolidated "movement".......it always sparks crazy debates! Especially when a woman is heard on the CD comparing The U.S. to Nazi Germany, saying that a woman's body is not hers; IT BELONGS TO THE STATE. I know it sounds crazy, but this might be one of the most important, relevant, critical recordings of the 90's, and you'd be hard pressed to find another CD that says so much and jams so hard. The music is terrific and can stand on it's own without the lyrics and issues being argued! Whether you agree with their platform or not (I disagree with many of their rantings, but can accept their viewpoint), it's refreshing to hear such a pro-active and alternative yet peaceful voice in America....

I am about 20 years late to Consolidated's "Friendly Fascism", but after listening to this I wish I would have heard of Consolidated sooner. Although at times heavy handed, I really like the experimental and revolutionary nature of their music. Although I guess it is classified as rap, my knowledge of rap is not good,.... Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Public Enemy is about it for me. Regardless, I love this album, some tracks like "Music Has No Meaning" and "Freindly Fascism" blow me away. As a footnote, I wonder what these guys make of the current state of affairs in this country? The trend in this country since Bertram Gross's book "Friendly Fascism" was written has been towards fascism, although I don't think we are a fascist state. But if Ronald Reagan were alive today and asking me if I am "Better Off Now Than I Was 30 Years Ago?" I would knock his teeth out. Morning in America my arse, Ronnie was the beginning of the end. Anyway, 5 stars and I will be hunting for more of their music.

I first heard this CD in 1989 or 1990. I loved it, I had it on cassette. About a year ago I got rid of all my cassettes and was distressed that I no longer had this particular album. I spent a week trying to remember the band's name. In the middle of the night it came to me, I wrote it down and found in on Amazon, yeah!

I was inspired by their music. Back in 89-90 their message meant a lot to me. I had just survived 8 years of oppression by the Reagan administration and was in the throws of the war mongering (oil whore mongering) Bush Sr. administration.

Now after really not surviving so well the 8 years of the Bush Jr administration it's good to listen to Consolidated again. Remember what happened to the Dixie Chicks when they spoke out against the war? A loud and clear message that this war is not about protecting our founding father's vision but rather it is about greed.

Unfortunately it has become easier and safer to keep your head in the sand. I peeked out long enough to cast a vote for intelligence and against greed in 2008. Listenning to news sound bites lately regarding popularity poles is discouraging but will rally me to the voting booth once again this fall. I'll be listenning to this CD to get pumped up for a victorious 2010 election and another in 2012.

Health Care For All!!!