CIVL Station Manager Aaron Levy remembers what happened in New York just 13 years ago this week, and has a number of songs to commemorate the date, in advance of this Thursday’s AfterMath comedy throw-down on the date in question.
Wilco – “Ashes of American Flags”
This album was to be released on 9/11, 2001, but as a result of label issues, it didn’t come out until over half a year later. Ironically, the album’s futuristic cover includes a pair of Chicago skyscrapers, and this song was recorded months before the tragic falling of those heralded buildings.
Nickelback – “How You Remind Me”
Now, with the sentimental and high-brow out of the way, I purchased the album on which this song was housed on the day the towers came down, and I was darn happy to have done so, though in retrospect, it’s a bit of a joke. Okay, a big joke.
Matthew Good Band – “Man of Action”
Not actually about 9/11, but it’s a song about doing things that impact a change, which, on one hand, is what those pesky terrorists probably thought they were doing — and on the other hand, it’s what the people trying to pick up the pieces at Ground Zero were up to.
Immortal Technique – “Bin Laden”
This guy is just not afraid of anything. He’s of Peruvian descent, and he’s a bad-ass mofo if I ever heard one rapping about international politics. Venom-filled is how I would describe his rhymes, and he’s always calling out significantly more powerful than he world leaders. Atta boy.
Modest Mouse – “Dark Centre of the Universe”
“Took a lot of work to be the ass I am and I’m really damn sure that anyone can equally easily fuck you over. Died saying something but I didn’t mean it, everyone’s life ends, but no one ever completes it, dry or wet ice they both melt and you’re equally cheated.”
