Protest singers are in short supply these days, but
Fifteen
's
Jeff Ott
more than makes up for it by dropping this double album of social observation and critique. Armed only with his acoustic guitar,
Ott
takes aim at oppressors of all varieties, including his greedy landlord, alcoholic wife-beaters, plus the heroin and AIDS epidemics with his well-thought lyrics.
"Radio Conspiracy"
takes a controversial dig at piggish, controlling broadcasting corporations like
Clear Channel
, while the contentious
"9/11 Is Still a Joke"
is deeply critical of the way most Americans have reacted to the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Other tragedies, like
"Georgia,"
which addresses the brutal murder of a 12-year-old girl, get a less subjective depiction, but none of
's songs here are for the light-hearted. Yet for all the pain in his world, the arrival and presence of
's own daughter seems to have given his music some glint of optimism. Admittedly, experiencing two discs of
's positioning, regardless of what side of his argument you're on, can be a little overwhelming and is recommended in small doses. Just the same, the folks at
Sub City
deserve accolades for giving
's cold, hard look out of America's back door a forum. ~ John D. Luerssen