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Hail to the Thieves, by George Mann, Julius Margolian and Friends, is a CD for the skeptical leftist who feels unimpressed with the number of protest songs emerging from the mainstream these days, or for the open-minded moderate music fan looking for an excuse to vote out their incumbents this election year.

"... For Freedom, Fair Elections and Peace"

From Utah Phillips' call to arms, "There comes a time when the operation of the machine is so odious that you cannot even tacitly participate," to Colleen Kattau's referencing George W. Bush as "an imbecilic, lying father's son"; from Chuck Brodsky's "Liar, Liar Pants on Fire" to Patt Wynne's "I Stand With Cindy Sheehan," and Girlyman's "Commander," (not to mention the blatant title of the album) there's no mistaking what Hail to the Thieves' objection is.


We'll come back to the politics in a moment. What makes this album better than the countless CDs being compiled in protest of the Bush administration and the War in Iraq is that the musicians are wonderful.

You just can't top legends like Phillips and Billy Bragg. There's also the DC Labor Chorus ("None of us Are Free") and the Syracuse Community Choir ("Beholden (Peace Loving Nation)"). Appearances by Keyboardist Julie Wolf, backup vocals by Kim & Reggie Harris, and mandolin player John Rossbach, among others.

"We Sing For Labor and We Sing For Peace ..."

Beyond the musicianship, though, there are some seriously eye-opening lyrics on this record. Anne Feeney's "Defenders of Marriage," she sings snarkily about "defending the institution against people who want to be married." This is followed by Julius Margolian's catchy refrain: "If you're so hot for war, why don't you enlist / you don't mind sending others / that always gets me pissed."

Some other choice lyrics "None of us are free if one of us is chained" (from the anthemic "None of Us Are Free"), "Better watch out what you say you don't wanna end up in Guantanamo Bay" (from "Bush War Blues").

"I'm a day-laborer, a so-called illegal, but ... if I go fight in Iraq, Bush will make me a citizen" ("Pero A Mi No Me Crean"), and my personal favorite, "What does that W stand for? Warmonger, weasel or just plain wrong."

"Hail to the Thieves" is a great companion for anyone walking around with their fingers crossed, hoping against hope for peace, change and a more competent leader.

There's Also Hope

Make no mistake about it, Hail to the Thieves is a protest record that's almost as scathing as Neil Young'sLiving With War. The songs are a timely call-to-arms for progessive voters, activists and undermotivated left-leaners. Like many albums bent on protesting one particular thing, though, Hail focuses far more on what's wrong than on what's possible (just try sitting through "The Ballad of Hurricane Katrina" or "I Stand With Cindy Sheehan").

There are also some great tunes pointing out the absurdity of our leaders, like "Royally Oily."

Then, just when you start to get a little depressed about everything that's going on, Utah Phillips comes along with his story about impending justice and peace, and how these things are inevitable and eventual, regardless of the circumstances. Whatever audience he's singing to wastes no time in singing along, "gonna build it anyway ... ship gonna sail some day," and it's hard to resist an honesty and hope like that.

Highlights

"Royally Oily" ? Colleen Kattan
"Defenders of Marriage" ? Anne Feeney
"If You're So Hot For War" ? Julius Margolin
"Bush War Blues" ? Billy Bragg
"Commander" ? Girlyman
"Pero A Mi No Me Crean" ? Francisco Herrera
"What Does that W Stand For?" ? John Lilly
"Ship Gonna Sail" - Utah Phillips

Hail to the Thieves Vol III: Songs to Take Our Country Back is available at www.georgeandjulius.com