They Don’t Speak For Us

Time Zone “World Destruction” – Here we have Afrika Bambaataa and John Lydon, rapping and sneering very prescient lyrics about world crisis in 1984 over a heavy old school beat, with atonal guitar feedback and some excellent recurring synth lines for accompaniment. Sample lyrics:

Countries are fighting in chemical warfare. Not giving a damn about the people who live. Nostradamus predicts the coming of the Antichrist. Hey, look out, the third world nations are on the rise. The Democratic-Communist Relationship, won’t stand in the way of the Islamic force. The CIA is looking for other detectives. The KGB is smarter than you think. Brainwash mentalities to control the system. Using TV and movies – religions of course. Yes, the world is heading for destruction.

Well, they tried to warn us.

Fans of the Sopranos might remember this song from the first episode of the fourth season of the series. (Special thanks to Nikon!)

Radiohead “No Surprises” (live at Electric Lady Studios for Morning Becomes Eclectic) – This is from a session that Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood recorded with Nigel Godrich in Manhattan one month ago. It’s a very beautiful rendition of the song, stripped down to its lullaby essence. I think that they should perform the song live with this arrangement more often.