Critical Acclaim

Love the band, Love the Song ... and I just saw them perform on the "Buried Alive" tour Nov. 23rd in Estero, Florida and "Critical Acclaim" was the 2nd song in the set.

Until a few minutes ago, I too thought this was a "two sided" song with lyrics that could be interpreted as critical of BOTH the President (who, at the time the song was written in 2007, was George Bush) and Democrats (or, frankly, people of ANY political party who merely complain and gripe about the government but are too lazy to do anything about it).

Unfortunately for me (since I'm a registered Democrat - but more "middle of the road" than 100% Liberal) ... Shadows has said that the song is COMPLETELY pro-Republican, and solely aimed at criticizing Liberals and Democrats. In the link below to YouTube video of a radio station interview (where he's accompanied by Synyster Gates), Shadows makes it crystal clear that he has a lot of animosity toward Liberals (and he also implies that this is the position of the band as a whole).

I'm a bit surprised to hear this ... but it's still a great song.

Here's the link to the video:

youtube.com/watch

I especially like the part where he talks about the people that do not support the American troops or military:

So, how does it feel to know that someone’s kid in the heart of America has blood on their hands fighting to defend your rights so you can maintain the lifestyle that insults his family’s existence

I have several family members in the military and some of them don't support Bush but that doesn't mean they don't do their job as members of the military. People can have whatever opinion they want of Bush but it is ridiculous when people don't agree with Bush or the Iraq war, and insult and look down on the members of our military and their families. It is not up to them which wars we fight. They are doing their jobs and defending our country. It is up to Bush exactly what they do and where but they have no control over it and to insult the people that defend our country is ridiculous and extremely unpatriotic. I will support our troops whether or not I agree with the President.

This song is clearly about extremist democrats and liberals. There is a lot of growth in the Independent party. People are tired of picking a side, bending a knee to a platform agenda. I'm sure both Libs and Conservs will point fingers at AX7. People can't seem to accept that you DON'T HAVE TO BE EITHER A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN. Judging by their lyrics, I assume AX7 are Independents. Maybe not. Either way, they're clearly not concerned about what extreme conservs and libs think about their lyrics. Great rock and metal, great musicians, great lyrics. Great attitudes. I'm with them on this one, I'm TIRED of people acting as if they're hearts bleed for the kids in Iraq or the soldiers...it's all smoke. Drama for their boring lives.

Okay, this song is simple... It's A7X's response to all those pompous assholes who spend there days pointing fingers! :D

i'm thinking this song may be , in part, a bout the westborro baptist church. Fro those of you who don't know this church sets up outside the funerals of fallen soldiers with signs that say 'God hates fags, Iraq is our punishment' and 'fags killed your son'.

So how does it feel to know that someone's kid In the heart of America has blood on their hands Fighting to defend your rights So you can maintain a lifestyle That insults his family's existence Well, where I'm from we have a special Salute that we aim high in the air Towards all those pompous assholes Who spend their days pointing fingers (fuck you)

Shhh quiet might piss somebody off Like the heartbeat of this country when antagonized too long I'll be damned if you count me in as part of your generous hypocrisy Collecting enemies

Tabloid gossip queen worthless man (there's no need for us to bury you) Selfish agenda once again (right this way you've dug your own grave)

I've had enough It's time for something real I don't respect the words you're speaking Gone too far A clone

All the way from the east to the west we Got this high society Looking down on their very foundation Constantly reminding us that our actions Are the cause of all their problems Pointing their fingers in every Direction and blaming their Own nation for who wins the elections They've never contributed a fucking thing to the Country they love to criticize

at the end here syn's voice takes on the cadence of a preacher but through the ehole thing he's very clear that he's all for free speech but these fucker's crossed a line and are now disrepectful of the men who died to defend thier rights to degrade them in death.

In addition, I think the parts that the Rev sings (whatever it is he actually says, we'll have to wait for the official lyrics to be sure) are referring to the two-sided politicians who use the Iraq War to push their agenda, whatever it might be. I think its directed at both Democrats and Conservatives.

Eh... this song isn't anti-Democratic or anti-Bush. I think it is really talking about the politics in America. Everyone is blaming everything for their problems, like gays, immigration, this war in Iraq, and our FOX-NEWS-endorsed future war with Iran. It doesn't help when the US citizens sit around and accept EVERYTHING we're told. I would quote every lyric and explain it but I don't feel like wasting my time for kids who won't get it.

::Shh, quiet, you might piss somebody off::

People have problems and they sit on their asses and do nothing about it. They keep quiet. So that lyric above is like saying, "You shouldn't speak up because you might piss someone off and you don't want that do you?"

::Excuse the obscene Ignore the untrue[...]::

Instead of accepting the obscene and believing the untrue, ignore it. I won't be able to explain this clearly. I know a lot of people don't know what is happening in the world today and they believe all the shit they hear on TV. The folks running for the future President of the USA are also spewing shit and people just buy into it without question. They just flow with the system.

::(Tabloid gossip, we want less real)::

We just want gossip news. We don't care what is real. As long as it is entertaining right?

You know what. I shouldn't even bother posting this. Keep thinking it is about Bush. Whatever floats your boats.

I think this song is very anti-bush.

"Self righteousness is wearing thin (lies inside your head, your best friend) I’ll bleed but not for fellow man (broken glass, you’ll fade reflection)"

That part is very much anti-bush.

"So, how does it feel to know that someone’s kid in the heart of America has blood on their hands fighting to defend your rights so you can maintain the lifestyle that insults his family’s existence?"

This part is mocking the government.

"Well where I'm from we have a special salute waved high in the air towards all those pompous assholes who spend their days pointing fingers."

And that would be their response.

The song is saying that the people who are high up constantly blame the problems of the country on the so-called "anarchists" when they themselves have done nothing to fix anything.

I fuckin love this song. To me, the meaning, I think A7X is criticizingBush and his actions about the war, but at the same time criticizing everyone who bitched about Bush being presidetn after the 2nd election. Those people are probably the same people who don't fucking vote or any shit like that, but complain about who's in office.

this is a really amazing song. these boys are doing a fcking awesome job. i think it is about bush & about how much he's lied & covered up the truth about the war we're in now. "telling them it's all for something real" he's never told the truth about why we're there, just makes up bullshit there's some other things here which aren't pointed to bush though i don't know but i think most of the song is lashing back at him because he put us in the war & doesn't want to take the troops out & they're dying out there for what? bush doesn't care about how many die that's why he keeps sending them back after they come home.

ok that's my opinion.