The Revolution Starts … in 2008
Steve Earle, “The Revolution Starts … Now” (Artemis). Americana never sounded so, well, American as it did the day Steve Earle issued this stomping call to arms.
Eminem, “Mosh” (Shady/Aftermath). Those who thought that Slim Shady was all dick jokes and Britney Spears pokes had to be surprised when he released this relentless “Fuck Bush” screed just before the election.
Green Day, “American Idiot” (Warner Bros.). The title track to Green Day’s ambitious punk opera pulled no lyrical punches, lambasting Spurious George between infectious blasts of guitar.
Incubus, “Megalomaniac” (Sony). A prominent player in the 2004 anti-Bush league, Incubus named its new record after this scathing track, which reminds a certain world leader to pretend that all of us are heaven sent.
Jadakiss, “Why?” (Ruff Ryders). Hip-hoppers were mostly apolitical this year, which made Jada’s accusation that Bush knocked down the towers that much more striking.
NOFX, “Idiot Son of an Asshole” (Fat Wreck/Epitaph). We like it when punk rockers act like punk rockers instead of starry-eyed teenagers on a first date.
