Posted on 04/22/2008
Firstly, the context.  Tomas Young was in his early twenties when he enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces, enraged by the attacks of September 11th, seeking justice, or revenge.  Five days after arriving in Iraq, on his way to Sadr City, his uncovered Vehicle was fired upon, a bullet paralyzing the young man.  Body of War is a collection of the songs that Tomas listened to as he, in his way to come to terms with these events, became a vocal critic of the war he fought in.

Secondly, the songs.  The collection is presented in two parts: the frantic, rough mix of rap, punk and rock comprising CD One; the contemplative folk-pop and the late-night drive rock of CD Two.  Across the set, alot impress.  Along with brilliant songs by veterans Tom Waits, Neil Young and Public Enemy, System of a Down's "B.Y.O.B." is manic with crazed guitars, pausing at all the right parts, while "American Terrorist" finds Lupe Fiasco laying out the U.S.'s sins with his flexible flow.  Bright Eyes' "When The President Talks To God" is stinging, near spiteful, while The Nightwatchman's Tom Morello is mournful and strident on "Battle Hymns" on the better CD Two.

    Thirdly, a thought on political songs as a whole.   Perhaps politics and injustice, and the empathy they bring as topics in songs, can successfully rectify lapses in the form and craft of said songs.  "Bushonomics," a good representation of Talib Kweli's political rap, is weighed down by Kweli and Cornel West's stiffness, but still works due to Kweli's clear-eyed charges.  Kimya Dawson's fragile "Anthrax" is emboldened by its politics as well.

   Lastly, the context revisited. Coming at a time when even as the Iraq War enters its fifth year, while 40% of Americans want the U.S. to continue in Iraq (according to a February USA Today/ Gallup poll), Body of War collects the outrage, disillusionment, sneers and proffered hopes for peace, and gives a good selection of these voices, and could go on to be one of the definitive anti-war collections of the decade.  As David Ford sang,  "sweet dreams all met with derision/ This train, it was armed for collision."

- Christopher White