THE 50(ISH) GREATEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME
Rage Against The Running Machine
Album #33 : Rage Against The Machine — Rage Against The Machine
I’ll be honest, it took me until quite late in the week to listen to this record.
That’s because it was my stag do last weekend and the idea of listening to anything with the word “rage” in it didn’t exactly appeal to me. In fact, the idea of listening to anything at all didn’t really appeal. In fact, the idea of having any senses at all was a bit much.
However, when I did listen, I discovered Rage Against The Machine and I have something in common. As it turns out, we were both tired and emotional. Them, tired of fighting the capitalist pigs and emotional about people’s inability to accept that they are at fault. Me, tired of eating and drinking like a capitalist pig and emotional about my inability to accept that I am at fault.
It wasn’t just denial for me though (does denial count as an emotion?) — it was a mix. Sure, there was some shame in there but also pride and ecstatic happiness that I have such an amazing group of friends and family who organised and attended such a brilliant weekend.
That said, my overwhelming feeling (and I know this doesn’t count as an emotion) was exhaustion. That is where my experience diverges from Rage Against The Machine’s. These guys are so, so angry. And I am so, so sleepy.
With every track, I found myself bargaining. Take The Power Back, yes, but can I have a nap first? Know Your Enemy, sure, but… a little nap first maybe? Wake Up, just five more minutes.
Clearly I am beyond the age where I can party all weekend and work all week (if there ever was an age I could do that). And at times it felt like I was beyond the correct age for this album — a bit like with Metallica, sometimes the outrage and screaming becomes so much it is just ridiculous. I get it, the American dream is a con — you don’t have to go on about it.
That was until I got on the treadmill. As I mentioned last week, I’ve been unable to run thanks to an injury. However, this week it was feeling a bit better so I went to the gym to try it out — and suddenly, this album made a lot more sense! I managed a full 20 minutes without needing to slow down or reassess the injury. I found I could just keep powering forward. Figuratively, of course — obviously I was just staying in the same place… (maybe that’s a metaphor for the American dream… I should write to Rage Against The Machine!)
Anyway, I think it was this record that got me through it. I’m not sure it was the intention of Rage’s call-to-arms, but it did the job for me. As I stepped off the treadmill, I was relieved. Not just relieved to have managed a proper run at full pace on an injury, but also relieved of about 6 pints of lager flavoured sweat.
Exhilarating, yes, but also exhausting. I’m off for a nap.
Thanks for reading — over the course of 2021, I’ll be reviewing 50(ish) of the greatest albums ever recorded. You can see the list here:
There is also a playlist featuring the best song from each album here.
