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There’s a line from an old Jazz Butcher Conspiracy song called Susie:

A girl has to have some breaks
When she was 18 Susie saw the Patti Smith Group on TV
And she told me that it changed what she wanted to be
Guess that’s why we kept on coming back to each other
Over all these years now
And if you don’t know what’s so good about candy
Don’t ask Susie or me

Hypothetically speaking, if the song’s teenage protagonist were growing up today, she might still be inclined to find inspiration in Patti Smith. Heck, she might even find enlightenment. Smith’s new album, Trampin’ is a visceral expression of images, thoughts, and sounds which seem more deliberate in design and intention than any of her past endeavors.

Patti seems to want to inject in the listener a certain experience with her poetry—a consciousness to start, and if that’s not enough, a conscience. Ghandi is quite literally a wake up call to peace activism, while Radio Baghdad bellows a narrative somewhat reminiscent of Gloria. Well researched and biting in a tragic irony, Patti rightly points to Baghdad as the cradle of civilization—a historical city of scholars, science, mathematics, and thought—and proceeds to echo out “shock and awe” as if the two words really meant something. Of course, they do.

Although politics are certain to be the real talking points on the album, many of the other tracks don’t read as straight-up protest songs. Trespasses, and the album’s namesake, Trampin’, are pure gospel. Others, such as the touching Peacable Kingdom and the seemingly embittered Cash are ambiguous enough to read as either political commentary or simple human emotion. Mother Rose, the most enjoyable number of the bunch, seems genuinely personal.

But while these songs are well-supporting and sincere, the implications of politics are never far away, nor do I think are they meant to be taken lightly. She opens up with Jubilee stating what I think is the true purpose—recruitment of the spirit.

We will never fade away Doves shall multiply
Yet I see hawks circling the sky Scattering our glad day
With debt and despair What good hour
Will restore our troubled air? Come on people
Gather round You know what to do

Recruit the dreams that sing to thee Let freedom ring

Yeah, I think if Susie were around today, she’d know what to do.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 6th, 2004 at 12:38 am and is filed under culture, music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.