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Rage Against the Machine
Renegades


4.0
excellent

Review

by robnathanson USER (12 Reviews)
January 20th, 2005 | 89 replies


Release Date: 2000 | Tracklist


Rage Against the Machine is (and alweays was)
Zack De La Rocha--Vocals
Tom Morello--Guitars
Tim Commerford (aka-Timmy C. aka-Y Tim K, aka-Tim Bob)--Bass guitar
Brad Wilk--Drums and percussion

This CD has no original lyrics, the music is completely original.

Every song is a cover of bands or individuals who influenced the band.

Although most people ghate this album, I believe the comments are unfounded.



I'll get right into it!

Microphone Fiend--
this Song, originally performed by Eric B & Rakim is redone by RATM to kick off this cd that most people write off as being the wrost, and most unspired cd RATM ever recorded (and it is) but not so bad as most poeple make it out to be. The music sounds original (moreso than some other songs which tend to "borrow" from old RATM songs) the song has a lot of power, and energy, but it gets very repetitive with the chorus. A good song nonetheless
3.5/5

Pistol Grip Pump--

Originally performed by Volume 10 this songs has great bass and drums driven verse and chorus lines, or very bassish guitar, I can't decide which. De La Rocha is really great doing this song. the music and energy is loud and inyour face, cool interlude around 2:15. Straight up, in-your-face lyrics etc.
3.5/5

Kick Out The Jams

Originally performed by MC 5 after seeing the Live At The Olympic Stadium DVD, I've decided that this is much better live. it's raw-er and more energetic and faster paced. My only complaint with this album version, is the speed. It's too slow, and loses my attention pretty easily. i never skip over the track but I think about it. Morello does some awesoem stff with his guitar (as always) I like at the beginning when he just shouts out WE'RE GONNA KICK 'EM OUT
great song though.
4/5

Renegades of Funk

Originally performed by Afrika Bambaataa this song is longer than the radio and video versions which had a few bits cut off of it. Talks about many american (minorities such as native-americans and african-americans) "revolutionaries" if you will (such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X etc etc etc)

Quote:
"Renegades are the people,
with their own philosophies.
They Change the course of history
Everyday people like you nad me"


This song samples Afrika Bambaataa's version of the song, during the "Jam Sucka" section of the song.
The First single off of this album.
4/5

Beautiful World

Originally performed by Devo
Lyrically this song sounds like it could be an RATM original, but it's doubtful that it ever would be. the song is de la Rocha singing over Tom playing a simple chord based melody. no bass or drums, and some effects coming in at the end. I like this song personally, many don't, but I think it's a great song to slow the pace of the album
3.75/5

I'm Housin'

I always think this is "Bullet in the Head" when the song starts.....to me it sounds the exact same, I dunno, I may just be weird:S
Originally performed by EPMD this song has a lot of energy, but again, it's better live. It has a great tune though, and De La Rocha's vocals are perfect for the song
3.75/5

In My Eyes

Originally performed by Minor Threat , this song opens with a blast and then slows down and blasts again. This is one of my favourites on the album. it's really fast paced, and has a lot of energy in it, and De La Rocha expresses anger, and his usual pissed-off-ness so to say, more often than the previous songs on the album. this in my opinion is one of the Top 3 on the album, but my friends disagree....then again they say the whole cd sucks :S
4.25/5

How I could just Kill A Man

Originally Performed by Cypress Hill this song has a lot of energy and has a nice pacing to it. Again, it's better live, when performed with Cypress Hill...I love it on the Live at the Olympic Stadium DVD when they're with Cypress Hill....Loads of energy!!
My personal favourite on the album, in my opinion the best constructed on the album also. It doesn't get repetitive and the music all sounds totally original
5/5

The Ghost of Tom Joad

Originally by Bruce Springsteen this was originally recorded for release with the single of "Guerilla Radio" (I think) and was then released on this cd. I forget the name of the song, but the music reminds me of a song on the album "Evil Empire" but that's alright....what it lacks in originality it ,more than makes up for in greatness. my 2nd favourite on the CD. This songs is much louder and more inyour face than the almost folk version done by Mr. Springsteen
5/5

Down on The Street

Originally by The Stooges I don't have too much to say about the lyrics here, they aren't bad but they're not that great, the music is really good and catchy though De La Rocha exhibits a lot of energy and it's got a really good beat to it. Not one of the best on the album, but not one of the worst either.
3.5/5

Street Fighting Man

Originally by the Rolling Stones this song has a great beat and de la Rocha's voice is like new, great and inspiring. this is much better than the (original) Rolling Stones version of the song! I love the music. Morello does a lot on the guitar, but it works, I love the sounds and all that good stuff that comes out of his guitar.
4.5/5

Maggie's Farm

Originally by Bob Dylan, this song is good, but by no means the best on the album. I like it more than the Bob Dylan version, but it's still not one of the better songs on the album (I like it, don't get me wrong) it's got a nice beat and sound to it though! it saves the song for me. Come to think of it, I really do like this song!
4/5


BUT WAIT, THERE's MORE!!!!!

Included on the cd are live versions of:

Kick out the Jams

ok, so you can get to hear the live versions of this MC 5 song. It's a lot better than the album version, more energy and more predominant drumming, which makes this version of the song ofr me!

and

How I could Just Kill a Man
now for the creme of he crop, Cypress Hill join RATM on stage in this live version of their song. I prefer the Live At The Grand Olympic Auditorium version, however this definatley does it for me! B-Real and Sen-Dogg (sp?) frm Cypress Hill sing with De La Rocha while Morello, Commerford, and Wilk play their respective instruments (very well might I add)


~~OVERALL IMPRESSION~~

I like this cd, unlike many people. And unlike many people, I gave the cd a chance to grow on me. It turned out not to be half as bad as I expected, and 10 times better than my friends made it out to be! It's defiantley RATM, but it is also definatley lacking something special. What is that something special? Original, politically inspired lyrics!

other than that I like it, catchy music, and great musicianship, combined with great vocals, and 2 "hidden" live tracks make this cd special to me! especially with the reworks of all the different songs. made me want to download the originals to compare them!

OVERALL:
I think this cd merits a solid

3.5/5



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user ratings (1823)
3.3
great
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Ojinaku (4)
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb....

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...



Comments:Add a Comment 
aka1987
March 2nd 2005


9 Comments


This is a ok ablum the first few times i listen to it it was ok but its got better with the more i have listened to it
8/10
not there best album but no means thier worst

Hey Mr. Light Man
March 3rd 2005


51 Comments


Wow...you like the covers of 'Street FIghting Man' and 'Maggie's Farm' better than the originals. Am I disillusioned, or did I actually read that?

robnathanson
March 25th 2005


93 Comments


I'm not a big fan of the stones, and Bob Dylan's original version of maggie's farm sucked.

tinathefatlard
May 28th 2005


2064 Comments


i think the song that the ghost of tom joad reminds you of from evil empire is revolver that riff after the inrto with the sound effects

Aeaon
June 12th 2005


188 Comments


Not a very good album. The cover for Renegades is pretty good, but I don't think it was necessary for Rage to do an album like this.

Two-Headed Boy
December 11th 2005


4527 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Microphone Fiend and Renegades of Funk are the best tracks in my opinion.

Thor
December 11th 2005


10357 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Microphone Fiend is an often overlooked, yet great song. I agree.



However, I think that "I'm Housin'" is the best part of the album.

neoptolemus
January 21st 2006


1 Comments


This album isn't the best but its not bad... It's actually quite good. It's their homage to their influences and sure the lyrics aren't original but they add extra power and energy to the orginals. "I'm Housin'" is a good song as are almost all. "Maggie's Farm" not only produces more power but it also creates that extra pointlessness of occupation.

Two-Headed Boy
March 20th 2006


4527 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This album is very under-rated, but it's just not as good as their others. Good review.

Med57
Moderator
March 20th 2006


1002 Comments


Eh, I can't really get into it at all. I get the feeling that they kind of ran out of ideas by this stage, so maybe it's a good thing in a way that they split. They kind of went downhill from their debut in my opinion.

zeppelin05
March 20th 2006


12 Comments


THis album rocks, good review, i agree almost entirely apart from 'Renegades' i would give it a 5. This isnt their best album but i prefer it to 'evil empire'. Battle of L.A the best album imo.

Music Nerd
March 20th 2006


95 Comments


I really dig this album. The MC5 cover is great, and the Minor Threat cover is very good. How I Could Just Kill a Man has always been a favorite of mine as well.

f_u_c_t
May 1st 2006


1406 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

In My Eyes is the s*it.

BobJoHankins
June 14th 2006


14 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

THis album rocks, good review, i agree almost entirely apart from 'Renegades' i would give it a 5. This isnt their best album but i prefer it to 'evil empire'. Battle of L.A the best album imo.




Tru dat

AbysmalFace
June 15th 2006


35 Comments


Down on the Street, by far the best track here, the main reason I bought this album...fantastic.
Housin' is pretty good too.

hummer
February 5th 2007


228 Comments


Renegades of Funk is such a fucking awesome cover

samthebassman
February 5th 2007


2164 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

This rage's worst album, but the track renegades of funk still rocks like a mofo.

BludgeonySteve
February 8th 2007


558 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY, YOU CAN'T STOP US NOW!



Unless, like, umm, you do something to us.

WARPATH_88
February 8th 2007


514 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I love these guys. they are what got me started into harder rock and metal. Renegades was good, but not as good as their older stuff.

bdizfoshiz
February 9th 2007


273 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

The more I listen to this album, the more I like it. It's definitely not as good as their previous releases, but they did a damn good job covering all these songs. Have any of you guys ever heard the original versions of any of these songs? They're completely different. You can tell that Rage put some thought into this album, it's not just a lame covers album.



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