Wednesday 3 June 2009

Disenfranchised

Just how does an anarchist vote in the looming European elections?
Does an anarchist vote at all?

The trouble with not voting is that it doesn't prevent those seeking power from gaining it.
It could in fact give them more power; the party faithfuls will always subordinate themselves, willingly voting on the behalf of others, leading inevitably to minority representation.

But if you are of the same mind as Chumbawamba, then you'll recognise that these politicians, they're all the bloody same.
The names may have changed, but is there really any difference between Mr. Heseltine, Brown, Cameron or Griffin?

Never Mind The Ballots, Chumbawamba's second album, is a deeply cynical critique of Western democracy.
Much of the anger found on their debut release, Pictures of Starving Children Sell Records, gives way to pathos, and the band give us their elegy to democracy.

And it's not only aimed at politicians, 'Come on Baby (Lets Do The Revolution)' is a polemic targeting those who sell and buy into the 'anti' business, whether it be corporations who claim themselves green or the latest celebrity who's going to heal the sick.

Originally I did think this album was so much a product of its time that it wouldn't be worth posting; listening to it now, I realise that nothing's changed, this recording is just as relevant and vital as it was on release twenty-two years ago.
So how does an anarchist vote in the European elections?
Reluctantly, I guess.

Me?
I'll probably just spoil my paper.
Again.

Chumbawamba - Never Mind The Ballots (1987)

Always Tell The Voter What The Voter Wants To Hear
Come On Baby (Lets Do The Revolution)
The Wasteland
Today's Sermon
Ah-Men
Mr. Heseltine Meets His Public
The Candidates Find Common Ground.
Here's the Rest of Your Life!

Excellent cassette rip @320kbs.
Several tracks appear as single files as I didn't want to break the segues.
Gain some political conscience here

2 comments:

Keir Hardie said...

"is there really any difference between Mr. Heseltine, Brown, Cameron or Griffin?"

Yes. Three of them aren't fascist scum, for one thing.

Anonymous said...

perfect choice roy... i was listening to this only last week... ''they break our legs & we say thank you when they offer us crutches'' really sums it up. i still feel that molitov and stone speak louder than ballet papers.
stay free.x