“(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” and “Annihilation” paint grim pictures of a world in which people can’t live in peace. Covers of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On” and Depeche Mode’s “People Are People” condemn racism and hatred. A beautiful a cappella rendition of “Fiddle and the Drum” offers encouragement to a U.S. soldier and the country he serves, noting the character of each. The band cherishes our democratic right to vote (“Freedom of Choice”) and refuses to lay down and die (“Passive”). Although a haunting overhaul of John Lennon’s “Imagine” longs for a society without greed, starvation, materialism and murder …
The singer’s perfect world also contains no heaven, hell or religion. While unjust warfare is inexcusable, peacenik images and songs such as “Let’s Have a War” and “Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums” imply that all war is inherently evil. The former includes a derogatory term for homosexuals. The latter uses the f-word. Harsh profanities also mar “Passive.” Prayer is pointless (“When the Levee Breaks”). Loose allusions to drugs and suicide appear on “Gimme Gimme Gimme.”
Classic songs about peace, love and harmony are great (albeit broodingly reimagined), but alongside staunch anti-war tracks with a blatant political agenda, they lose some of their charm.
