Customer Reviews

Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2 (Bonus DVD)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

Aside from System of A Down, I've been wanting more political rock since Rage Against the Machine broke up. If they were only here today..I'd love to hear their post-9/11 songs. But they're gone, and instead we have the Rock Against Bush compilations.

The second volume has high-energy punk and alternative bands contributing solid cuts, many of which are rare or unreleased. What better way to start the CD than with a brand new Green Day track, "Favorite Son." Bad Religion's equally impressive "Let Them Eat War" follows without missing a beat.

A minor complaint: Being a die-hard Foo Fighters fan, I was disappointed to see their song clock in at under a minute long. It would have been great to get another rare song in there, like "Winnebago" for example, but I guess Fat Mike thought "Gas Chamber" had more social resonance, which it probably does. However, you do get a bonus DVD with the CD, which has political shorts to keep you informed, and comedy sketches - including Will Ferrell - to keep you laughing. The liner notes are particularly interesting (see "20 More Things To Hate About Bush Jr."), but most importantly, the music itself rarely fails to make an impression.

Look, I know alot of people were mad about the last "Rock Against Bush" (Vol.1) album showcasing the band New Found Glory. I recently confirmed that certain members of that band ARE NOT left-wing, at all. In fact, one member even claims to support Bush and his actions to invade Iraq. So Admittedly, it was hypocritical for their song to appear on that comp. But this time around, the right-wing music fans have nothing to complain about. None of their favorite bands are "switchin up", and unlike last time, its very clear where ALL 28 of these bands have stood politically. Bottom Line, If you don't like the message, then you don't have buy the album...

Now, on to "Rock Against Bush" (vol. 2). Like I said, ALL the bands on here this time around are very Liberal, and very set on removing bush. The music is good, but honestly, the DVD is worth the price alone. I would highly recommend this to any punk-rock fan, simply because this album is what Punk is all about. GET IT TODAY...

Those other reviewers must not like the punk rock if they rated this album 1 star. Either that or they are strictly pro-Dubya. Anyways this album should not be judged based on it's political undertones. It really is a good collection of rare and unreleased tracks from some really good artists.

Not only is this a decent CD, but it sends out a good message to the kids to be aware of politics and to get out there and vote (if they're old enough).

I own both albums...I don't really remember which bands are on which album, but anyways these 2 albums pretty much started my entire music obsession. I bought one album because of Sum 41 (which I now realize suck) and I bought the other because of Green Day (I think that one had Bad Religion on it too.) Well back when I bought these I pretty much listened to old bands and pop punk (Blink-182, Boxcar Racer, Green Day, Sum 41, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, The Who...I can't think of anymore right now.) I have gotten into more Pop Punk bands since then (probably because of this album, probably not a direct effect seeing as bands like Goldfinger aren't on these albums), but I have also gotten into a lot of great punk bands...bands like NOFX, Anti-Flag, Rancid, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards, the Transplants...the list goes on and on. Now I know your thinking that some of those bands aren't on these albums...these albums made a chain reaction. I listened NOFX, then picked up the NOFX/Rancid album and got into Rancid (I know they are on one of these albums but that songs not that good, same with Operation Ivy, but thats just my opinion.) Because of Rancid I got into Operation Ivy, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards, and the Transplants. Thats just one chain reaction of bands this album made, there were so many. Now I know some of these bands suck and some of these songs suck (mainly the songs by the bands that suck), but these albums are like 7 bucks and I think that like 20 good songs on 28 songs and a good dvd is worth that money.

Mr Bassist. Yes the bands on this comp use capitalistic methods of promoting and distributing their music. some of the larger bands more than others. But i think you are exaggerating this Rock star thing a bit too much. some of the smaller bands have trouble paying the rent and getting by day to day. (see Dillinger 4) Even if a band on this comp is well off, it doesnt mean they uses standard business methods practiced my most of the wealthy CEO's of US companies. Alot of these punk bands base their business (yes they admit it is business) in a DIY, moral, and ethical fashion. There is nothing wrong with capitalism, but it is bad the way capitalism has been used by greedy CAPITALISTS to separate them from lower classes. your theory of the money paid for this cd contributing Republicans is alittle farfetched.

Believe it or not, The Rock Against Bush CD is the best way to present the ideas and attitudes of the bands. Packaging it with notes and Political DVD Featurettes is a way to present the message behind the cd. The music only adds to the attraction and supports the idea behind the cd. A "sidestepping MP3 effort" would allow some really cool songs to hit the internet but would not nearly have the effect this comp is pushing to have.
And to those who are actually are afraid they're "throwing money at republicans" - get serious. do you really think a bunch of super wealthy conservatives sit in a board room and discuss how well the Rock Against Bush CD is selling. and how this money they're getting is going to help the 2004 Bush campaign. thats rediculous! These guys are already rich. They make money off of every day products. You support more republicans buying toliet paper. We live in a capitalist democracy- I dont have any problem with people selling items that present their politacal views to start change.

Most of the Bands are on Independent labels, and most of the royalties will not see it in to the hands of those it doesnt belong. Whatever small price FYE or any other Record store chain may get from these cd sales is insignificant and a conflict of interests. The facts in the liner notes and on the DVD would convince any sensible human being that, no matter who replaces this Administration, it HAS to be replaced. And if the republicans are profiting a little off of this cd. than they are financing their downfall.

p.s. The best songs are by Lawrence Arms and Dillinger 4. Buy this cd!

So now they must hate & degrade the musicians that choose to appear on this CD...a great collection we have here, too. Green Day...Sleater Kinney, etc.. Maybe they should just get their tongue out of Bush and not be so afraid. Though you know it is looking bad for them when they have to resort to attacking musicians. Though I'm sure Darryl Worrley and Toby Keith are their idea of "talent."

Great songs from bands you know, and bands that you should know. It's kind of a stretch as to how some of the songs pertain to "rocking against Bush" but it's still great music. These CD's really help you to feel united with a cause.

This cd was good. There are a few songs that should definitely be left out. First is Yellocard's crappy rendition of "violins" WTF did you do to a perfectly good punk song. Note to Fat Mike...please no more Ataris/Yellocard poopunk covers. Foo Fighters, you guys were trying a little to hard with the song on this comp. I went into this cd thinking it would in no way match the first one....but it did just fine.

The Green Day song is great, The Only Crime song was great, the Lagwagon song really brought me back to the mid 90's when I first heard them. I give Useless ID's song an A-.

There are a lot of solid punk songs on here....go spend some money on it.

I think it is a great compilation cd. I don't know why everyone is whining about it. They are not telling you who to vote for, just saying that there are other options. I find it amusing that people are boycotting. Like the other reviews said, no one cares. It is sad to see that there are still so many close minded people in the world. I would definitely recommend that everyone checks this cd out.

I don't agree that politics has no place in music. Music is most effective when it is generating or responding to ideas that resonate with people, whether it's love, rejection or anger, and those feelings can apply to politics as well as to relationships. When the country is divided and the issues matter, what better way to reach people, particularly young people, than through music and respected artists?

The bands here range from punk to rock, and include Green Day, Bad Religion, Foo Fighters, Sugarcult, Rancid, Dillinger Four, Jawbreaker, Sick of it All, No Doubt, Thought Riot and others -- 28 in all, some better than others, some rare or previously unreleased.

In addition, there is a second disk that will play on your computer or dvd player. It contains 6 political short films, 5 music videos and 3 comedy routines, 2 stand-up and 1 with Will Ferrell playing W. The accompanying booklet contains a message from Justin Sane of Anti-Flag, news URLs, lyrics and messages from the bands, and info about PunkVoter.com

Great deal! Great cause! Great music!