Six Pack of the Week - Give it Up for America!

It's America's birthday!  Hooray!   You know what that means?  Well, in my neck 'o the woods that means the mullets come out in full force to see a bunch of cars drive around on Main Street for a few hours after getting their faces rocked off by Styx.  What could be better??  I surely couldn't think of a thing.

Alright, all sarcasm aside we've decided to give you all an America themed six pack this week.  While some may not see them all as erm..."patriotic" we still feel they rock.  At the very least, these should replace "Comin' to America" in the fireworks display.  Seriosuly, I think I've heard it enough times Mr. Diamond.  I (Kraig) will start things off with some sweet, sweet Pearl Jam:

All three of these tracks are covers that came from live shows on the Riot Act tour.  This first one is originally by Patti Smith.  Hang on tight for some sweet, sweet Eddie growls in the last chorus.

[mp3] People Have the Power

Here's another cover, this one is originally by Steven Van Zandt.  This is my favorite of the two, I feel it's quite a bit more relateable for me.  Most of my more "casual" friends probably wouldn't describe me as a patriot, this song fleshes out my definition of patriotisim pretty well.  Really though, it's not about putting a flag on your lawn, that's not patriotism.

[mp3] I Am a Patriot

I was lucky enough to be in attendance for this show.  I must say, I waited my whole life to experience Pearl Jam in all their live glory but I wasn't ready.  Rockin' in the Free World (originally by Neil Young) is quite possibly the best closer out there.  My face was quite honestly melted.

[mp3] Rockin' in the Free World

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The 4th tends to be all about gestures of patriotism and fireworks anymore.  Through it all, I still try to remember that this holiday should be a basic celebration of freedom.  Thus my choice of Dan Wilson's Free Life.  I've always liked that this song not only subtly points out our inherent freedom (or "free life"), but reminds us that we need to use that freedom, decide how we want our lives to go, so freedom really means something.  So, "what you gonna spend your free life on?"

[mp3] Free Life

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...and here's a few epics, though they are a bit cynical.  This one's from the Pumpkins' latest.

[mp3] United States

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The most epic of the epic and one of my personal favorites from the nearly perfect Air Stereo.

[mp3] God Bless America

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