![]() It also serves to strengthen the song even more. Considering that, the RATM/Audioslave type musical arrangement makes that much more sense. That aside, enough of this verse and the song’s other verses are understandable that there is no mystery as to the song’s lyrical theme. Front man Jefferson Angell sings in the song’s lead verse, “It’s a rich man’s war/It’s a poor man’s blood/Things will never change/It’s understood/You can ask for help/It does no good/It’s a rich man’s war/It’s a poor man’s blood.” He continues in the song’s second verse, “To the powers that be/We think the convenience of reality/I find it hard to believe/That you’d still lift a leg…It’s a rich man’s war/A poor man’s blood/You can ask for help/It does no good/It’s a rich man’s war/It’s a poor man’s blood.” He adds in the song’s third verse, “I see the world differently/’Cause I can’t look up to people that look down on me/How are you supposed to compete…” The line that follows is difficult to decipher without a lyrics sheet to reference. The very title ‘Rich Man’s War’ lets listeners where this song will take them. The noted socio-political commentary is inferred even before the song starts, in its title. When that whole pairs with the clear socio-politically charged lyrical theme in the song, the song gains even more traction. The overall instrumentation makes the song’s musical arrangement stand strongly on its own merits. The drums sound so tight throughout, along with the bass line. The subtle addition of the keyboard in the chorus adds its own nice touch, especially what with the echo effect used for that line. Listeners can immediately hear hints of his work with Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave right from the song’s outset. The fuzzed guitar effect immediately lends itself to work that famed guitarist Tom Morello has crafted throughout his career. The song’s musical arrangement is a funky, upbeat composition. ![]() ‘Rich Man’s War,’ which comes late in the album’s run, is just one of the songs that support the noted statements. The record’s musical and lyrical content alike fully supports the noted statements. That is the belief at least of this critic in particular. Walking Papers’ new forthcoming album The Light Below – the band’s third studio recording – is one of 2021’s first great overall albums. In other words, it is one of year’s essentials whether listeners are fans of the mainstream or independent realm. When they are considered alongside other entries from the album, such as the Muse-eque ‘What Did You Expect,’ ‘Where Did I Go Wrong?,’ which conjures thoughts of The Doors,’ and the brooding instrumental ‘The Other Shoe (Reprise),’ as well as the rest of the album’s songs, the whole of this record becomes a presentation that is unquestionably one of this year’s first great overall albums. On yet another side of things is the deep electronic composition ‘Creation Reproduction and Death.’ All three songs noted here are crucial in their own way to the overall presentation of The Light Below. On a completely opposite end of things, ‘California (One More Phone Call),’ which closes out the album, is another example of what makes The Light Below such an exemplary new offering from Walking Papers. ‘Rich Man’s War,’ which comes late in the record’s hour-plus run time, is just one of the many songs that this album has to offer audiences. In doing so, listeners will agree that there is a lot to like here. Rather, the album in whole is one of those works that requires listeners to give it their full attention. It is not one of those records that will appeal to audiences expecting short, radio ready singles. From its start to its end, the subtleties in the 64-minute presentation make it such an interesting collection of songs. Scheduled for release Friday through Carry On Music, the 12-song record succeeds because of its unassuming nature, both in regards to its musical and lyrical content. Independent rock band Walking Papers’ forthcoming album The Light Below is one of the most welcome surprises in the very young year that is 2021.
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