Type: Contains explicit content, Lyrics are included with the album
Genre: Rock
Review
It's been five long years since Propagandhi last released an album. In the interim, much to no one's surprise, the world has not become a better place; thus, the return of this trio to action comes as welcome relief for those in need of a shot of political rejuvenation. During Propagandhi's hiatus, bassist/vocalist John departed, replaced by the rather more verbosely monikered Tae-Bo Todd the Rod Kowalski. But what hasn't changed is the group's attitude: They're still raging...oops, one is tempted to say anarcho-punks, a tag the band members loudly disclaim, so let's say agit-rockers. Certainly rock is a sturdy enough genre to hold the trio's predilection for slamming hardcore into speed metal, then thrashing it to death with a good old punk rock beat. And while they may not be as melodic as many of their fellow Fat bands, they aren't beyond writing a damn catchy chorus. Beyond the high-energy, fists-in-the-air music, Today's Empire, Tomorrow's Ashes delivers up vituperative lyrics on a variety of hard-hitting subjects. Like most next door neighbors, the members of the Canadian trio are well aware of America's foibles, and are more than happy to make their opinions known. Previously, however, there was enough irony and wit to the lyrics to suggest that deep down, they'd forgive us, if only we'd straighten up and stop bringing the whole block into disrepute. But it's apparent that Propagandhi are losing faith in America's ability to change, and the battle is beginning to wear the band down. There's much less humor here than in the past, the frustration is obvious, the anger rawer, and a dispiriting depression seems to be setting in. Yet hope may still conquer all, and the group has enough faith in its fans to believe that the fight is not over yet. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
Lawrence Ferlinghetti (Cover Painting), Eddy Schreyer (Mastering), Jon Schledewitz (Photography), Propagandhi (Producer), Ryan Greene (Engineer), Bruce (Engineer), Helena (Translation), Ryan Greene (Mixing), Ryan Greene (Producer)
One of the album's tracks, "Back to the Motor League", indirectly refers to two songs by the Dead Kennedys, "Triumph of the Swill" and "Chickenshit Conformist", as well the year of their release on the 1986 album Bedtime for Democracy. The "Back to the Motor League" lyrics state: "fifteen years later it still reeks of swill and chickenshit conformists". Both the Dead Kennedys songs and the Propagandhi track concern the co-opting of punk ideology by the corporate record industry.
"Purina Hall of Fame" is a reference to the Nestlé owned pet food company, The Ralston Purina Company. The title is cynical take on the Purina Animal Hall of Fame, a site that celebrates animals who have saved human lives.[1] The lyrics of "Purina Hall of Fame" obliquely outline Propagandhi's concerns about animal cruelty.
The album art is credited to the painting The Unfinished Flag of the United States by American poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Propagandhi continued this motif of using established artists to provide their cover artwork on their next two albums, Potemkin City Limits, using a piece by anarchist artist Eric Drooker, and "Supporting Caste", which featured a painting entitled "The Triumph of Mischief" by Kent Monkman.
Trivia
Lyrical mention by NOFX
The song "The Marxist Brothers" from NOFX's EP Never Trust a Hippy and 2006 album Wolves in Wolves' Clothing, mentions Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes; however, the name is sung erroneously by Fat Mike as "Today's Empires are Tomorrow's Ashes".[2]
“
Still, I’m waiting to see if my bid on eBay was enough
To get Today’s Empires are Tomorrow’s Ashes on Soviet red vinyl.
It's going on the wall, next to Tubthumper
And The Battle of Los Angeles.
”
This song was played on G7 Radio's third podcast (April 4, 2006); Propagandhi's Chris, co-hosting, proceeded to credit the song by purposefully adding an incorrect word to the song title ("The Marxists are Brothers"), mispronouncing NOFX, and replacing a word in the EP title (Never Trust the Hippy).[3]
The theme continued with the fourth podcast (May 5, 2006), when Derek and Chris played another NOFX song: "One-Celled Creature" from Wolves in Wolves' Clothing. The album title was not mentioned on the podcast itself, but on the G7 Welcoming Committee Records website, the album is called Wolves are in Wolves' Clothing in the episode's music credits.[4] In the podcast itself, while talking about Chumbawamba's album Tubthumper (which is also mentioned in "The Marxist Brothers"), Hannah pretends that he's looking for it on the studio wall (another reference to the song), saying "The Battle of Los Angeles, Today's Empires are Tomorrow's Ashes... Ah, Tubthumper!"[5]
Other
Bluegrass band The Magnificent 7s covered the album's title track on their album Dirty Roads. [6]
