"The Revolution Starts Now" by Steve Earle

reviewed by Jack Humphrys

Steve Earle was politicized as a youth by the Vietnam War protests, but it appears the events of September11th, 2001 have really brought progressive politics into his music. His early career as a country rock singer, despite some good songs seemed characterized by the stereotypical hard living star singer, with the usual diet of too much booze and sex.

This album was released before the U.S. Presidential election of 2004 and he saw this piece of work as a contribution to unseat Bush. That election involved a lot of singers, such as Bruce Springsteen, who held big anti- Bush events. Songs here go beyond the appealing title to the great storytelling of "A Rich Man’s War" about young men going to war in a number of Middle Eastern contexts, including Iraq.

The anti war sentiment is reinforced by the satirical song "Condi, Condi" about current US Secretary of State Rice. One beautiful love song, "I Thought You Should Know", also stands out. In an earlier CD, Jerusalem, (75147-2, 2002), Steve Earle included a song about the young American, John Walker, who fought for the Taliban in Afghanistan, before being captured and jailed in his homeland .Another song called "Conspiracy Theory" from this album also has noteworthy lyrics. With a fine voice and thoughtful lyrics, Earle has made his mark in world Music, with not only his anti-war and anti neo–liberal songs, but also his anti-capital punishment stance of which he has been a long time campaigner.

In the cover notes of his recent albums, Earle urges listeners to be active citizens in their society and to take a radical stand against neo-conservative politics and fight for progressive alternatives wherever they can. With other singers such as Neil Young (Living with Warforthcoming), Pearl Jam ("World Wide Suicide"), Green Day (American Idiot) and even the Rolling Stones getting into the act, it is a pity more prominent Australian Country/Pop/ Rock performers don’t often write songs in a similar vein.

Website: http://www.steveearle.com and http://www.artemisrecords.com

Ruby by Ruby Hunter, Archie Roach and the Australian Art Orchestra

Website: http://www.aao.com.au