What song are you listening to?
By Abby Badrick
Photo Collage by Abby Badrick
Ashley Kranjac, associate professor of sociology
Album : “The Battle of Los Angeles” by Rage Against The Machine
Genre : Rap metal
Q: Can you recall the first time you heard this record? What did it mean for you at the time?
I first heard the album as a teenager in the late ‘90s. It was a symbol of my independence as an individual, and the message against authoritarianism, oppression and social injustice resonated with me.
Q: What do you want students to take away from it?
To think critically about how the social system and institutions influence the individual.
Jerry Price, vice president for student affairs and dean of students
Album : “Jesus Christ Superstar” by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Genre : Rock opera
Q: Can you recall the first time you heard this record? How old were you? What did it mean for you at the time?
I was probably 14 or 15 and living in Texas; the album and music were unlike anything my friends and I had heard before. Besides liking the music, I was fascinated by the idea of a rock music interpretation of history — in this case, the late life and death of Jesus.
For me, it is not so much the religious aspect of the album; it is more about how rock artists create three-dimensional characters from historical people, not unlike (what) Hamilton did again about 10 years ago.
Alicia Kozameh, professor of creative writing
Album : “Led Zeppelin IV” by Led Zeppelin
Genre : Hard rock
Q: Can you recall the first time you heard this record? How old were you? What did it mean for you at the time?
I think I was 19 or 18 years old. I remember trying to write while listening to it, but it was impossible. I had to interrupt my writing and dance.
Q: Was this the first record that came to mind for this project, or did you have to think about it?
It was the first one, but for a minute I considered some Pink Floyd.
Matt Goldman, professor of English
Album : “Frances the Mute” by The Mars Volta
Genre : Experimental rock
Q: Can you recall the first time you heard this record? How old were you? What did it mean for you at the time?
I was 20 years old, and, not to sound too hipster or whatever, the album felt like something that I had discovered and was truly my own. Most of my friends didn't get it. It's the type of album you have to listen to from start to finish, and it demands active listening. The album moves from English to Spanish to sounds of traffic to four solid minutes of frogs croaking. I had no idea what I was hearing, but it felt like watching a movie. Songs range from a few minutes to roughly half an hour, but every moment felt new and exciting. Buried in the chaos is a story about the search for family and home. At that point in my life, I think I was looking for something similar.
Q: What do you want students to take away from it?
I hope students can take from it what I did: that creation has no rules. Using lyrics from their follow-up album, you've got to steal this chance to give birth to more. Let your little art babies out in whatever weird way they demand to be born!