I read it as a sort of anarchist call to power.
SMZ's gripes with the corruptive side of big business/politics and the moves being made to limit freedom seem to be the topic here. It seems to be about the big sense of mistrust of governmental agencies; the 'acronym call-out' sounds like a naming and shaming of what they take to be the main problem-causers.
My guess is that SMZ are saying that it's not really feasible to reject the 'big 12', but it's the lesser evil. Hence:
"Their way is debt and prisons...
Give me a goddamn shovel
I'll dig my own damn hole"
"I learned it / at 17 / on drugs / and well policed /
It kissed me / as I fell / with fists full / of ringing bells"
I'd say that this bit is a pretty literal description of how they realised it all while living within the belly of the "horrible machine" described in the Dead Flag Blues monologue. Actually, I think the subject of this song is identical to DFB. They're both about the feeling that the society we're living in is a self-destructive monstrosity.
The title line might even be a bit sour/ironic. They may well be pointing to the cost of the society that allows them to distribute things like the song you're listening to. Think of the sound coming out of your own speakers when they sing it; SMZ seem to be pointing to the humanitarian cost of what it's taken to make it happen.
Even if all that's wrong, the song is a fucking astonishing piece of work. I cannot stop listening to this EP
I read it as a sort of anarchist call to power. SMZ's gripes with the corruptive side of big business/politics and the moves being made to limit freedom seem to be the topic here. It seems to be about the big sense of mistrust of governmental agencies; the 'acronym call-out' sounds like a naming and shaming of what they take to be the main problem-causers.
My guess is that SMZ are saying that it's not really feasible to reject the 'big 12', but it's the lesser evil. Hence: "Their way is debt and prisons... Give me a goddamn shovel I'll dig my own damn hole"
"I learned it / at 17 / on drugs / and well policed / It kissed me / as I fell / with fists full / of ringing bells" I'd say that this bit is a pretty literal description of how they realised it all while living within the belly of the "horrible machine" described in the Dead Flag Blues monologue. Actually, I think the subject of this song is identical to DFB. They're both about the feeling that the society we're living in is a self-destructive monstrosity.
The title line might even be a bit sour/ironic. They may well be pointing to the cost of the society that allows them to distribute things like the song you're listening to. Think of the sound coming out of your own speakers when they sing it; SMZ seem to be pointing to the humanitarian cost of what it's taken to make it happen.
Even if all that's wrong, the song is a fucking astonishing piece of work. I cannot stop listening to this EP