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diversions
Fugazi's 'Argument'
provokes thought
By Alex Roman
On-line Forty-Niner
Ah the '90s, the
beginning of the end for rock music. Every single one of your
favorite indie bands signed with major labels and as a result,
there was no such thing as underground music.
That is, of course, with one exception, the D.C.-based Fugazi,
who not only shunned major record deals and chances to play
corporate sponsored rock festivals, but also have never played
a headlining gig for more than eight bucks.
Because of their anti-corporate stance, Fugazi's frontman,
Ian Mackaye, has earned the respect of many of today's popular
bands.
Fugazi's ninth proper compact disc, "The Argument,"
is nothing more than a demonstration of what a band could
be if they choose not to whore themselves.
The 11-song, completely independently produced work finds
a band that has not yet exhausted their musical vision. In
fact, Mackaye, along with bandmates Guy Picciotto (guitar/vocals),
Brendan Canty (drums) and Joe Lally (bass) seem to have found
new life.
Mackaye remains one of the best vocalists in rock, with a
range that goes from a quiet dissonance to a siren-like wail.
All the while, Mackaye spits lyrics that provoke thought.
On "Argument" Mackaye sings: "When they start
falling/ executions will commence/ sides will not matter now/
matter makes no sense/ how did a difference become a disease?"
Sure, Fugazi could have sold out like the rest of their early
'90s contemporaries. But, while bands like Pearl Jam, Green
Day and The Offspring struggle to reinvent themselves while
still trying to sell millions of records, Fugazi's choice
to stay independent has allowed their sound to grow in ways
those bands will never know possible.
"The Argument," proves that integrity and artistic
vision is what really matters if you're going to make music
for a living. If Fugazi would have chosen to whore themselves,
they would be just like the other pre-millennial wash-ups,
instead they are a testament to what rock music can be.
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