Electric Relaxation: Revisiting Rage Against the Machine's Classic Debut

The other day, I found out that Rage Against the Machine's self-titled debut was being reissued today for its 20th anniversary. I can't say how thrilled I was because it's one of the greatest and hardest debut albums ever. Even though I don't have $75 to spend on that full set, it had remember when I spent the summer of 2005 listening to it over and over and loving every bit of it.

(I guess November 1992 was a time for releasing volatile work. Ice Cube released his classic Predator album - the post-LA riot soundtrack until The Chronic came out in December. Spike Lee also released his biopic on Malcolm X in November.)

Anyways, being a huge Rage fan in 2005, I had never listened to a full album despite KROQ playing the singles nonstop. I remember my friend Adam loaned me a copy of the self-titled album to burn before we left for summer break. What happened next was a sonic fury that carried on the legacy of the MC5, Clash and Public Enemy.

Greatest LA Band of my lifetime?

My post from Monday had a line that made a few folks wonder - I said that the Red Hot Chili Peppers were the best band Los Angeles has produced in my lifetime (since 1984). Outside of Guns N Roses, it's hard to argue against what the Chili Peppers have done to earn that.

Since their breakthrough album Mother's Milk in 1988, they've had a slew of hits and great albums while evolving from a punk/funk band to a rock band with solid melodies, brilliant songwriting and the ability to still keep it funky and raw. When their next album drops (soon I hope), it'll be one of the biggest rock albums of the year.

They're still relevant, their impact is rock solid and their legacy is still being written as one of the greatest bands of the last 30 years. Not to mention they're #1 on my must-see in concert list. But what about others who could make that argument for being LA's finest? For me, it all starts with Axl, Slash, and the boys.

Guns N' Roses had a six year run that rivals any band in music history. A sonic boom that paved the way for Metallica and Nirvana to kill the hair metal of the 80's and a rawness that captured the essence of the Sunset Strip back then.

Classic songs, a genre defining album, the powerful combo of Axl's voice, Slash's guitar and combustible creativity. Makes me wish Axl didn't blowtorch that legacy with his ego because had G'N'R lasted even 5-6 more years in that form, they wouldn't just be one of the greatest bands ever. They could arguably be the greatest band of the post-Led Zeppelin era.

Not a bad consolation to be cited as one of the greatest based on a perfect storm. But as we waited for Axl to drop Chinese Democracy, Slash and Co. made great music with Velvet Revolver and RHCP kept doing their thing. Greatness not denied, but never totally realized.

Fishbone came out around the same time as RHCP (even toured with them in 1988) and is the most underrated/underappreciated band of my lifetime. I didn't get into them until 2004-05 but once I did, it was easy to see why they don't get much love.

Their best albums ("Truth and Soul" and "Reality of My Surroundings") got them some moderate success but despite their ska/funk/punk/hard rock sound, the mainstream never fully came around to them. Those who saw them perform said they were the greatest live act they had seen. Even the ska revolution of the mid-90's didn't produce anymore fame.

By 1993, they lost guitarist Kendall Jones at their peak. Other members left and they continued to be a cult phenomenon. One day I hope to see them live and witness their genius. While they didn't get the full mainstream love (and were a victim of label politics), Fishbone had probably more influence on more bands in So.Cal than anybody. Just ask No Doubt or the Chili Peppers themselves.

(Edit: Somehow I forgot to mention this next band in my original post although they have my favorite guitarist and helped raise my awareness. What an IDIOT.)

Rage Against the Machine continued the legacy of The Clash, MC5 and Public Enemy as one of the only bands that mattered in the Clinton era (1993-2001) who didn't just rest on their laurels. They got angrier as they got older but they remained LA to their core - even naming their final original album Battle of Los Angeles.

Somehow they achieved more success than any political band in recent memory. In a time of prosperity, they stayed vigilant even on Saturday Night Live and at the 2000 Democratic National Convention. And sonically, they were just way too creative as Tom Morello made his guitar sound like anything and everything.

They got the hint. Music/message have to both be strong. But even though I like Zach and Co. and seeing them live in 2007 remains one of my highlights, I can't put them above RHCP thanks to their premature breakup. I would've loved for them to stay together during the Bush II Administration, especially in 2004. One of the 90's greatest bands and I'll always stay tuned to "Guerrilla Radio."

Jane's Addiction almost singlehandedly created the alternative rock scene. They're one of the most unique bands ever and I'm a big fan of Dave Navarro's playing - ironically I refuse to buy his only album with RHCP even though "My Friends" is a great song.

As great as their influence is and their songs are, their peak was almost shorter than Guns N Roses (3 years) and even though their song is in the intro of "Entourage," there's always a doubt that Jane's will ever stick around long enough to enjoy them. But their mark is set in stone.

Motley Crue? They ruled the 80's but let's be real. The only reason they're still relevant to most folks my age is because of Tommy Lee. I respect the Crue as legends and they're possibly the greatest hair-metal band but ask my peers to name a Crue song besides "Girls, Girls, Girls." Besides Tommy Lee's underrated drumming, they didn't musically add much to the game and their image trumped that.

No hate, just facts. In the same breath, you can argue N.W.A. was a band and deserves a role on this list. Unfortunately 3 albums means they're in the same breath as Jane's Addiction. They were the hip-hop Guns' N Roses and while their impact is untouchable, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube's solo work make you only wonder what they could've done if they weren't screwed over by money.

So there you have it. Oh wait a sec, what's this noise? My God! That could only mean one thing. I forgot about these guys!

Yep, Metallica started in LA. And they have everything the Chili Peppers have - longevity, impact, sales, hits, mainstream acceptance, relevance (thanks to their last album). Matter of fact, they and RHCP broke through (albums in 1988), changed the game (albums in 1991), went through an identity crisis in the mid-90's, came back with a force in 1999 (Californication and S&M) and still made an impact in the 2000's.

One of the greatest metal bands ever and among the greatest at their respective skills (James Hetfield - phenomenal voice, Kirk Hammett - Top 5 Guitarist of the last 30 years, Lars Ulrich - one of the greatest drummers ever and most versatile since he cowrites most of the band's lyrics).

You can't beat 5 straight No.1 albums. And even if I can't see them as an L.A. band like RHCP, they represent the best my city has to offer. So I guess the answer is a tie? Or a question for another blog.

By the way, the greatest band from LA period? These two trump everybody.

Electric Relaxation: Audioslave "Cochise"

Haven't done one of these in a while and this song popped into my head when I uploaded the 1st Audioslave album to my I-pod this week. I remember the weird buzz this group had like will they or won't work.

Take one of the greatest voices in music history (Chris Cornell) and the music behind one of the greatest bands of the 90's (Rage Against the Machine). It was an epic pairing and I remember being excited to hear the first single "Cochise" - a politically titled song after an Indian figure but the song wasn't political. They made it clear that it'd be Cornell's words set to their music and not recreate either band.

"Cochise" felt like an audio assault to say "Forget what we were, this is what we are." I remember the video showing Tom, Brad and Timmy C riding up the elevator to go jam with Cornell at the top of the building, like two forces coming together. Even the fireworks display was a perfect atmosphere for what the song sounded like. Blistering, powerful and just inspired, straight-ahead rock and roll.

And the lyrics were typically cryptic. I still don't know what Chris is talking about but the lines sounded like an epic-kiss off filled with blame/regret. Just good writing, good music and a great delivery. One of my favorite rock records of the 2000's.

For the record, I'm not sad they aren't together anymore only because Soundgarden has reunited (esp. after Cornell's terrible solo album) and so has Rage even if its temporary at shows.

What Inspires Me? (Music)

"Music is the air I breathe, the prayer I leave" - Talib Kweli said one of the best lyrics describing how people love music. Good music sticks to your rib and reminds you of the moment when you heard it.

But before this goes into a deep love affair, let's get to Part 3 of my inspirations. These are the artists that have inspired me the most because they resonate with me and speak to me.

(Note: These aren't all my favorite artists and I left some out intentionally. These are just the ones who left a mark on me in the most way)

(A Tribe Called Quest - A reminder to be yourself and "never follow someone else because opinions are like voices we all have a different kind")

(Little Brother - No group impacted me more this decade. "Dope rhymes, dope beats, what more could they want?" Saw them twice and were reminded why I love hip-hop.)

(Public Enemy - Thanks for teaching me to fight the power and not believe the hype. )

(Red Hot Chili Peppers - Thanks for reppin the City I live in, The City of Angels. )

(Prince - doing it all and doing it oh so well. A creative genius who remains a purist)

(Nas - "It aint hard to tell, I excel and prevail." Simple reason why he's the best.)

(Rage Against the Machine - They remind me never to be comfortable and always fight for my beliefs along with injustice.)

(Kirk Franklin - For updating gospel music in my era without watering down its message, he's a reason I believe gospel music will always stays fresh musically. )

(Jimi Hendrix - A reminder that creativity knows no bounds)

(Incubus - Lyrically beautiful/thought provoking, musically challenging. California goodness)

(Ice Cube - You Know How He Does It. One of the best writers/storytellers in hip-hop and a reminder that being real means speaking your mind. Favorite album of his.)

(dc Talk - Showed me Christian music isn't soft and poppy as well never being afraid to evolve without compromise. Christian music needs to challenge its audience while uplifting them.)

(Kanye West - I hate what he's become but every now and then, he reminds me why his songs relate to me like they did on this album.)

(The Clash - Working Class Heroes who inspire me to stay vigilant)

(OutKast - Thank you for reminding me that the South always has something to say)

Next up: Places.

Flashback Friday: 1999 Albums

It's hard to believe that these albums are 10 years old. But more importantly, it's crazy how many these albums sold. This was the beginning of the end for albums consistently selling like crazy because Napster was looming and completely changed the music game.

To me, the biggest surprise of the 2000's was when Usher, Outkast and Norah Jones sold over 10 million copies of their albums. All it did was remind me of how our favorite (and not so favorite) artists used to do it in 1999-2000. You could pretty much go platinum easily if you had a monster hit like "Mambo No. 5."

It was the year of pop success that wouldn’t stop til 2001. Shania Twain, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock were the faces of music. Again it boggles my mind that this year was 10 years ago. A lifetime ago when the record industry was in the middle of making its last stand and pop stars were seemingly made overnight.

It was the perfect storm of MTV’s “Total Request Live” blowing up and a year where people wanted to party. It was like everybody wanted to end the 20^th century on top and pretty much, nearly everybody did.

Favorite 5 Albums of 1999

1. red hot chili peppers – californication

2. rage against the machine - battle of los angeles

3. mos def – black on both sides (Black Dante's Illmatic)

4. moby – play (changed the game with marketing despite no hit single until summer 2001)

5. the roots – things fall apart

* right at No. 6 - Dr. Dre 2001

Top Comebacks

1. Santana

2. TLC/RHCP

3. Dr. Dre

4. Slick Rick (Street Talkin was the joint)

5. Jordan Knight/Joey McIntyre (tie - all the New Kids fans came out the wood work for these two. Top 10 hits for both)

6. Stone Temple Pilots (“Sour Girl” is still one of my Top 5 STP joints)

Top debuts (besides the Mighty Mos Def)

1. Ja Rule (hip hop’s next big superstar)/Britney Spears (Queen of Pop til 2004)

2. Christina Aguilera (pop’s greatest voice since then)

3. Eminem

4. Dixie Chicks (country wouldn’t be the same)

5. Slipknot (brought some much needed edge to rock)

6. Ricky Martin (everyone was “Livin La Vida Loca” that summer)

*other notable debuts – Pharoahe Monch, Staind, Lil’ Wayne, Jessica Simpson, Q-Tip

Career-making Albums

1. Creed – Human Clay (hailed as the kings of rock before the backlash started)

2. DMX – And Then There Was X (the last No. 1 album of the century and believe it or not, the 2nd biggest 1st-week sales of the year behind the Backstreet Boys...just a reminder how HUGE this guy was and how far he's fallen.)

3. Limp Bizkit - Significant Other

4. Backstreet Boys – Millenium (hate to put a pop joint on here, but it signified the rise of pop taking over the radio and the biggest artists selling a million in their 1^st week - everyone who sold a mil)

5. Blink 182 – Enema of the State (hello Travis Barker, hello pop charts, hello plenty of imitators)

6. Hot Boys – Guerrila Warfare (another key cog in Cash Money’s takeover)

7. Incubus – Make Yourself (possibly their best album and just like Moby, another 2-year build to greatness)

Great Albums that came through

Method Man & Redman “Blackout” (“Da RockWilder” is one of the best beats of the last 10 years)

Kurupt – Streetz is a Mutha (West Coast Classic)

Jimmy Eat World – Clarity

Jennifer Lopez – On the 6 (more on this in Flashback on Latin Pop)

Eve – Ruff Ryders 1^st Lady (the last female rapper to debut with an impactful career – sorry Remy Ma, Scenario 2000 smashes most posse cuts since then)

ODB – N***a Please

Nine Inch Nails – The Fragile

311 – Soundsystem

Foo Fighters - There is Nothing Left to Lose

Metallica – S&M

Biggest American Flop: Robbie Williams. The biggest pop star in England tried to make a splash over here and after being signed to Capitol Records, he only went gold. Consider him the music version of soccer, everyone else loves him, we don’t (“Millenium” is a great pop song though)

* Of course that doesn’t includes Memphis Bleek, whose debut flopped in 1999 and he’d keep trying to make hits to no avail. If you couldn't sell during THIS time, is it any surprise he didn't sell this decade?

That's Flashback Friday, hope y'all enjoyed it!