Word: punk
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When the counterrevolution of punk appeared in the later years of the decade, even it could be reduced to a fashion statement. The ethos of punk, like that of the Beats and the hippies, would remain lodged in memory as an exemplary refusal, an inspiration to grunge and rap in later years. But its initial force was diverted quickly enough into the more market-friendly notion of new wave: here came the dance-beat torching of Blondie instead of the primal screeching of the Sex Pistols, red sneakers instead of the safety pin through the cheek. The ground was well...
...other tracks, the Beasties branch out from rap. There are several slick, funk-inspired instrumentals (Ricky's Theme, Transitions), and a couple of stale punk-influenced songs (Tough Guy, Heart Attack Man). There's also the hovering sense that there are about a zillion bands on the planet that are better at funk and punk than the Beastie Boys. One of those groups is Soul Asylum...
...exchange is typical of these two partners, who in many ways are opposites. Ray is tough and outspoken and has a growling, devilish singing voice. Saliers is quiet and reflective, and her vocals are high and angelic. Ray says she's influenced by punk bands like the Sex Pistols; Saliers prefers Joni Mitchell. The two never write songs together, and for weeks at a time they drift apart to their separate circle of friends. But something connects them. The children of professional parents, both are 30, Atlanta natives and graduates of Emory University. They have known each other...
...members of Green Day ever tour Singapore, they'll all probably end up as candidates for caning. The punk trio's new CD, Dookie, is immature ("I'm not growing up, I'm/ just burning out," run the lyrics to Burnout, the opening song), rude ("I don't know you/ But, I think I hate you," the band sings on Chump) and violently threatening in a he-was-such-a-nice-boy-before- he-shot-the-senior-class kind of way (Having a Blast goes, "I'm taking all you down with me/ Explosives duct taped to my spine...
...vocalist-guitarist Billie Joe sings on Longview, "But she don't like the one she's got." Even romance is, like, a bummer. On Sassafras Roots, Billie Joe makes the proposition, "I'm a waste like you .../ May I waste your time too?" Green Day's punk nihilism works because it's delivered with self- deprecating humor, not with narcissistic rock angst...