An article that appeared in the Australian Greenleft weekly spoke of Australian music and the influence it has on our cultural identity.Leading Australian rock band Powderfinger was mentioned as they have been rocking the music scene for over a decade. Lead singer Bernard Fanning's political and often passionate lyrics have truly ensured Powderfinger remain not merely simply a rock band, but political ambassadors, giving voice to Australians. With Ideas spanning from religious hypocrisy to the struggle of Indigenous citizens to seek equality, Powderfinger seeks to challenge the Howard government significantly in their newest album.
Why Powderfinger has been condemned for their anti-Howard views, their music is not simply negative view on the Australian government or John Howard himself. In my view, their music captures the beauty and culture of Australia while is some instances giving a voice to those who are left unheard, particularly refugees and Aboriginal Australians. The song “Black Tears”, on Powderfinger’s new album Dream Days at the Hotel Existence, focuses more clearly on Indigenous Australian's struggle to find peace with their painful past. Fanning himself has even declared it to be a song that addresses and highlights the neglect of Aboriginal people. Fanning's powerful and harrowing lyrics, depict his ability as songwriter to take the listener on a powerful and political journey. Personally I applaud Powderfinger's work, as an evolutionary Australian rock band who give hope to Aboriginal Australian's future.
References Greenleft Weekly
picture from Google images
1 comment:
I think that more songs with such serious meanings such as this one should be created. Especially because it gives people who wouldnt normally be exposed to such political messages a chance to have an opinion on important Australian issues.
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