God & Guns Review

Released: Sep 29, 2009
Genre: Southern Rock, Country
Label: Roadrunner Records
Number Of Tracks: 12
Lynyrd Skynyrd walks the line between Southern rock and contemporary country on the new record God & Guns.

Sound:	7.5
Lyrics:	8.5
Impression:	8.5
Overall rating:	8.2
Users rating:	7.4
Comments:	42

overall: 6.7

Featured review by: UG Team, on october 13, 2009

Sound: If you think you’re accustomed to Lynyrd Skynyrd projecting a “Southern way of life,” you haven’t heard anything yet. While songs like “Free Bird” and “Simple Man” had somewhat of a universal appeal, the band’s 12th studio album God & Guns will likely be more polarizing than anything. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s approach to music is now aligned with a country music approach, both musically and lyrically. While the band will still find an audience to embrace their songs dedicated to a more conservative, arm-bearing America, quite a few old-school Skynyrd fans will be turned off in the process.

In terms of the musical content, God & Guns is not devoid of any classic Skynyrd-sounding tracks. “Still Unbroken” features a good deal of guitar harmonization, slide work, and catchy melodies. As the first single off the record it has more of a produced sound than in the past, but it also represents the more rock-driven side of the band. The next track “Simple Life” veers into what could be considered country territory. That song, generally a mellow country offering that promotes (as the title references) a simpler life with family, would be more at home among a rotation with Carrie Underwood or Brad Paisley.

The guest musicians featured on God & Guns are unexpected, particularly with the direction that Skynyrd has taken. John 5 and Rob Zombie both lend their skills to the album, with Zombie appearing on “Floyd,” which is easily the best track on the record. Starting out with a dark, ominous banjo intro and delving into Delta blues territory elsewhere, “Floyd” is both intriguing and refreshing. It’s in those memorable moments that the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd still prove their abilities as songwriters. “God & Guns” starts out promising for the down-home vibe it conveys, but the lyrics come on a bit strong and may (if you don’t subscribe to Skynyrd’s political views) leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Even if you can set aside the lyrics, you have to deal with the fact that the days of Southern-fried rock are becoming a thing of the past. There are traces of rock in the tracks “Little Thing Called You” and “Coming Back For More,” but it seems the contemporary country genre is creeping into the mix. When you look at any of this marketing-wise, however, the current sound will probably work in the band’s favor. // 6

Lyrics and Singing: You can’t accuse Lynyrd Skynyrd of being wishy-washy about their political/social viewpoints. On God & Guns, there is rarely a song in which you hear the run-of-the-mill rock lyrics. Whether the theme revolves around having dinner with your kids (“Simple Life”) or why Americans deserve to the right to bear arms (“God & Guns”), the songs are geared toward a specific audience with a very, very specific viewpoint. Long story short, you’ll either love ‘em or hate ‘em. // 7

Impression: It’s been about 22 years since Ronnie Van Zant’s passing in an airplane crash, and younger brother Johnny Van Zant has proven himself to be a solid frontman since that time. The technical ability of Van Zant, guitarists Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke, and Mark Matejka, bassist Robert Kearns, drummer Michael Cartellone, and keyboardist Peter Pisarcyzk is not up for debate. These are musicians who still provide “wow” moments every once in awhile on God & Guns. The main issue is the changing focus of Lynyrd Skynyrd, which at the current time seems to be catering toward more of a contemporary country audience. There’s nothing wrong with taking a different musical course, but Skynyrd fans from bygone years may not be ready to go along for the ride. // 7

Reviewed by: unregistered, on october 15, 2009

Sound: I just read another reveiw on this album which seems to suggest that it isn't that good..I got the album on a day before it was actually realsed, because HMV sold it on the 28th instead of the 29th for some reason. Also I got a two disc version of it. disc two just contains three live songs and three other songs.

You cannot listen to this album and then compare it to what Lynyrd Skynyrd used to be like because the line-up has changed so much. The album is more headed towards harder rock (not saying it is hard rock - just harder than is expected from Lynyrd Skynyd) which I think is excelent. Not all the songs are harder than old syknyrd such as gifted hands unwrite that song. There is one song on the album however, southern ways, which sounds like a bad copy of Sweet Home Alabama.

It gets a 9/10 because of the bad copy of Sweet Home Alabama. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Gifted Hands - One of the least obvious important lyric is when it says " he played the BIRD, he played it for FREE" and anyone can see that they intentionally had those words so close together to refer to thier best ever song, in my opinion, free bird.

In Simple Life the lyrics speek about how he likes to spend time with his familly.

God & Guns - this is all about how people (Maybe including Lynrd Skynrd) in Alabama live. For you probably know that Alabama is a very religous country. that explains the God part. Guns comes from the way that in Alabama lots of people have guns. They carry them to shoot sign posts and grizzly bears which attack them.

there are many more Christian and other important lyrics thorugh the album. Over all I'd say the lyrics are very good as is the singer, Johnny van Zant. // 10

Impression: When uncle listened to it he compared it to Bruce Springsteen. I can kind of see what he is saying but there is a big difference between the two. However, his tone whilst singing is more or less the same.

I wouldn't be able to say what song was the best on the album because they are all great. So I shall list them and rate them out of ten and comment on some.

Still Unbroken - 8/10
Simple Life - 9/10
little Thing Called You - 8/10
Southern Ways - 7/10
Skynyrd Nation - 7/10 -this is the worst but is still amazing.
Unwrite That Song - 10/10 - one of the best
Floyd - 10/10 - kind of a scary song. about a guy called floyd who had a lab which two old dogs never came out the same way of. also all the peole apparantly say aye aye aye and the floyds gone home. Also competes for the top spot.
That Ain't My America - 9.5/10 - really good
Comin' Back For More - 10/10 - the hardest song on the album.
God & Guns - 8/10
Storm - 9/10 - the singing sounds like the singing in Wishing Well by Free
Gifted Hands - 10/10 - I have persuaded my Church to use this during one of thier sevices.

Disc two (when I say this is the worst/best song on disc one I have not compared them to this CD because disc 1 is better)

Bang Bang - 7/10
Raining in my heartland - 10/10 - should be on disc 1
Hobo Kinda Man - 6.75/10
Red, White and Blue (Live) - 9/10
Call Me The Breeze (Live) - 8/10
Sweet Home Alabama (Live) - 8/10 - no where near as good as the proper version. // 10

Comments

[Cookie_Dog]

Sadly, it does seem that the 70's - era southern rock sound is on it's way out/deep underground. Some bands are keeping it around though.

[Phycopath09]

im actually disappointed. i mean half of the band died in a plane crash. they should have stopped their. this isnt Lynyrd skynyrd, even though it's the name of the band

[Baboulai]

That ain't no Skynyrd.

[theogonia777]

It’s been about 22 years since Ronnie Van Zant’s passing in an airplane crash,

does anyone else notice what's wrong with this?

[alkalineweeman]

theogonia777 wrote:

It’s been about 22 years since Ronnie Van Zant’s passing in an airplane crash,

does anyone else notice what's wrong with this?

Yeah, shouldn't that be 32 years?
Anyway, i've only heard one song from this album (the title track) and it imediatly alienates me from this album as i refuse to support a band who hold these beleifs by spending money on thier album and in turn giving them an output for said beleifs, the lyrics are not only completely illinformed

"God and guns
Keep us strong
That's what this country
Was founded on "

The vast majority of the founding fathers were not Christians as assumed here.
(Source: http://skeptically.org/thinkersonreligion/id9.html)

but completely cheesy and i cannot take them seriously.

Then again maybe my problem is i am taking it too seriously, i'll listen to the album if i can so for free but i wont be supporting the band with my money.

Good review though besides that one mistake on the years as pointed out.

[jonnyharris1]

very wel written alkalineweeman. As a melody i quite like that song, but as with you I find the lyrics very ignorant and rediculous.

[Randaman]

alkalineweeman wrote:

theogonia777 wrote:

It’s been about 22 years since Ronnie Van Zant’s passing in an airplane crash,

does anyone else notice what's wrong with this?
Yeah, shouldn't that be 32 years?
Anyway, i've only heard one song from this album (the title track) and it imediatly alienates me from this album as i refuse to support a band who hold these beleifs by spending money on thier album and in turn giving them an output for said beleifs, the lyrics are not only completely illinformed

"God and guns
Keep us strong
That's what this country
Was founded on "

The vast majority of the founding fathers were not Christians as assumed here.
(Source: http://skeptically.org/thinkersonreligion/id9.html)

but completely cheesy and i cannot take them seriously.

Then again maybe my problem is i am taking it too seriously, i'll listen to the album if i can so for free but i wont be supporting the band with my money.

Good review though besides that one mistake on the years as pointed out.

Off Wiki: The title of the album (and its title track) is a reference to a speech Barack Obama gave in San Francisco deriding small town America for clinging to their “God and Guns”.[3]

[saladforkspear]

...so they're basically saying it sucked?

[LeperMessiah_]

theogonia777 wrote:

It’s been about 22 years since Ronnie Van Zant’s passing in an airplane crash,

does anyone else notice what's wrong with this?

The fact that it doesn't mention Steve Gaines or Cassie Gaines dying, as if only the front man mattered.

That being said, Skynyrd should not b touring or recording anymore. Only Rossington is in the band now. Two of the guitarists, the pianist, singer, drummer and bassist pre-crash are no longer with the band, or dead.
It's capitalizing on the band's name and songs. Wasn't Skynyrd supposed to have been disbanded, and the touring only a temporary memorial thing?
It's sick.

[Fyrefox]

I think Lynyrd Skynyrd's older music was better. It had the edginess with powerful lyrics and beats. Although I do like some of the songs on "God & Guns", it just seems like Lynyrd Skynyrd is losing their touch.

I miss the old sound Skynyrd used to have. They're a bit too country now. It's just not the same.

Checked.

[rockerwannabe]

What a bunch of liberal sounding weenies that y'all sound like! I am conservative as hell but I still own (and have paid for) music from Green Day and other blatant socialist bands. It's about the music, people! If it rocks, great! If it doesn't, then move on! If I dismissed a band for lame lyrics, I would have nothing to listen to anymore.

[Reab]

rockerwannabe wrote:

What a bunch of liberal sounding weenies that y'all sound like! I am conservative as hell but I still own (and have paid for) music from Green Day and other blatant socialist bands. It's about the music, people! If it rocks, great! If it doesn't, then move on! If I dismissed a band for lame lyrics, I would have nothing to listen to anymore.

Absolutely true, though some songs on the market with deep lyrics might also be nice. I know they are there, but it's hard to find them

[templar08]

What? They didn't mention 'Unwrite that song'! Best choon on the album.

[rahnercore]

So Skynyrd is emphasizing the second amendment now?

Anybody remember "Saturday Night Special"?

"Hand guns are made for killin
Aint no good for nothin else
And if you like your whiskey
You might even shoot yourself
So why dont we dump em people
To the bottom of the sea
Before some fool come around here
Wanna shoot either you or me"

Seems like a pretty big transition to me.

R.I.P. to the REAL Lynyrd Skynyrd

[cal1]

I'm pretty dissatisfied with this album. It just lacks the Skynyrd sound I'm accustomed to

[necrosis1193]

rahnercore wrote:

So Skynyrd is emphasizing the second amendment now?

Anybody remember "Saturday Night Special"?

"Hand guns are made for killin
Aint no good for nothin else
And if you like your whiskey
You might even shoot yourself
So why dont we dump em people
To the bottom of the sea
Before some fool come around here
Wanna shoot either you or me"

Seems like a pretty big transition to me.

Same exact thing I think whenever I hear that song and when I read this.

[buddyboombotz]

rockerwannabe wrote:

What a bunch of liberal sounding weenies that y'all sound like! I am conservative as hell but I still own (and have paid for) music from Green Day and other blatant socialist bands. It's about the music, people! If it rocks, great! If it doesn't, then move on! If I dismissed a band for lame lyrics, I would have nothing to listen to anymore.

Greenday? Socialist?

[lcphr3ak]

alkalineweeman wrote:
The vast majority of the founding fathers were not Christians as assumed here.
(Source: http://skeptically.org/thinkersonreligion/id9.html)
[/quote ]
I'm not being sarcastic when writing that I'm glad to see that people are learning to quote their sources, I admire that. The problem is that the site you gave looks to be completely unreliable.

[quote]rahnercore wrote:

So Skynyrd is emphasizing the second amendment now?

Anybody remember "Saturday Night Special"?

"Hand guns are made for killin
Aint no good for nothin else
And if you like your whiskey
You might even shoot yourself
So why dont we dump em people
To the bottom of the sea
Before some fool come around here
Wanna shoot either you or me"

Seems like a pretty big transition to me.

R.I.P. to the REAL Lynyrd Skynyrd

A "Saturday Night Special" is basically a poor-mans handgun. [1]
They are primarily used for crime, and I think that is what Ronnie was talking about.

He specifically references Handguns and Pistoles; he never references rifles. The first verse describes a theft scenario, and the second verse describes a drunk scenario. Handguns were not invented for hunting. I don't think you can kill a deer with a handgun. I think this song is addressing handguns themselves.

If you want to reference lyrics as-well, you could take a look at the song "Mississippi Kid". [2]

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_night_special
2. http://www.lyricsfreak.com/l/lynyrd+skynyrd/mississippi+kid_ 20086147.html

[Altitudinous]

I love this album, although it feels more country, just go with it. They didn't give us the exact skynyrd we wanted, but it doesn't mean the music isn't great. I really enjoy the music and the lyrical content. I guess i'm a part of "love 'em" between the love 'em or hate 'em bit.

[bitterend85]

lcphr3ak wrote:

alkalineweeman wrote:
The vast majority of the founding fathers were not Christians as assumed here.
(Source: http://skeptically.org/thinkersonreligion/id9.html)
[/quote ]
I'm not being sarcastic when writing that I'm glad to see that people are learning to quote their sources, I admire that. The problem is that the site you gave looks to be completely unreliable.

[quote]rahnercore wrote:

So Skynyrd is emphasizing the second amendment now?

Anybody remember "Saturday Night Special"?

"Hand guns are made for killin
Aint no good for nothin else
And if you like your whiskey
You might even shoot yourself
So why dont we dump em people
To the bottom of the sea
Before some fool come around here
Wanna shoot either you or me"

Seems like a pretty big transition to me.

R.I.P. to the REAL Lynyrd Skynyrd
A "Saturday Night Special" is basically a poor-mans handgun. [1]
They are primarily used for crime, and I think that is what Ronnie was talking about.

He specifically references Handguns and Pistoles; he never references rifles. The first verse describes a theft scenario, and the second verse describes a drunk scenario. Handguns were not invented for hunting. I don't think you can kill a deer with a handgun. I think this song is addressing handguns themselves.

If you want to reference lyrics as-well, you could take a look at the song "Mississippi Kid". [2]

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_night_special
2. http://www.lyricsfreak.com/l/lynyrd+skynyrd/mississippi+kid_ 20086147.html

yea i can buy that interpretation of the song. this song does seem to only focus on throwaway pistols.

now to my point - i disagree with anyone who thinks the core viewpoints on this band have changed.

if you think they were honestly anti-gun, then you have never heard "gimme back my bullets."

and if you think they were never borderline country sounding, have you never heard "comin home" or "all i can do is write about it?"

i think a lot poeple aren't really even familiar with the band but because songs like Free Bird and Simple Man have become fashionable again they feel like they have to be fans. but i doubt they've ever bought an album or even downloaded a song besides the popular radio plays.

personally, i would never have been able to see Skynyrd live if Johnny and the rest didnt pick up the reins and keep the band together. That was my first concert when i was 12. and I still get goosebumps remembering the feeling of seeing "That Smell" live. and then when the crowd called for Free Bird and the band rushed back onto the stage after pretending to start packing up to leave, i have no words for that encore performance.

now, I am not gonna argue when you say their new stuff just isnt the same. and it never will be. Steve and Ronnie can never be replaced.

but lots of bands die out and fade away, some bands just survive, but only a precious few are able to do what Skynyrd did. and you should only respect them more for it.

[ExtremeMetalFTW]

rockerwannabe wrote:

What a bunch of liberal sounding weenies that y'all sound like! I am conservative as hell but I still own (and have paid for) music from Green Day and other blatant socialist bands. It's about the music, people! If it rocks, great! If it doesn't, then move on! If I dismissed a band for lame lyrics, I would have nothing to listen to anymore.

lolololol

Connies today are being very amusing.

GD isn't socialist buddy. I doubt you've ever heard a socialist band in your life.

[bmarlatt1685]

jonnyharris1 wrote:

very wel written alkalineweeman. As a melody i quite like that song, but as with you I find the lyrics very ignorant and rediculous.

Just like I find Eddie Vedder ignorant and ridiculous, but that doesn't take away the fact that I think Pearl Jam's first three albums are great. How come with liberals it's about our right to express our views, but with conservatives like Ted Nugent and Lynyrd Skynyrd it's "They need to stick to the music." Completely hypocritical if you ask me.

[bmarlatt1685]

buddyboombotz wrote:

rockerwannabe wrote:

What a bunch of liberal sounding weenies that y'all sound like! I am conservative as hell but I still own (and have paid for) music from Green Day and other blatant socialist bands. It's about the music, people! If it rocks, great! If it doesn't, then move on! If I dismissed a band for lame lyrics, I would have nothing to listen to anymore.

Greenday? Socialist?

No, they're not socialist. They're just overrated musicians, corny lyricists and a terrible band. And as far as being "political activists"... well, that's a joke and anyone who takes Green Day seriously as political activists are even bigger jokes.

[lcphr3ak]

bitterend85 wrote:
A whole bunch of stuff...

I agree with you 100%. That's pretty much sums up what I was trying to point out (without saying it point blank). For some reason people seem to hold up Ronnie as a anti-gun activist.

bmarlatt1685 wrote:

jonnyharris1 wrote:

very wel written alkalineweeman. As a melody i quite like that song, but as with you I find the lyrics very ignorant and rediculous.
Just like I find Eddie Vedder ignorant and ridiculous, but that doesn't take away the fact that I think Pearl Jam's first three albums are great. How come with liberals it's about our right to express our views, but with conservatives like Ted Nugent and Lynyrd Skynyrd it's "They need to stick to the music." Completely hypocritical if you ask me.

I've seem to notice this trend as-well...

All in all, it's a great record... I hate to say it, but probably one of my favorite... *gasp!* An album not from the "original" band?? BLASPHEMY!

[rebel rocker]

First of all, “Saturday Night Special” was written about handguns not all guns. As stated by Ronnie and Johnny in many interviews, the only thing handguns are good for is killing and crime, you can’t go hunt a deer or other game with a handgun, it just doesn’t work. Skynyrd has always been pro 2nd amendment; but rifles and long barrels, not pistols/handguns. Second, the song “Gimme Back My Bullets” is in no way a reference to guns. Its about getting songs back on the Billboard charts, getting hit songs again. Third, anyone who says this “isn’t real Skynyrd” or “Ronnie is rolling over in his grave” or that the band should have stopped when the plane crashed is just ignorant and doesn’t deserve to call themselves a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Listen to “God & Guns” “Unwrite That Song” and “Simple Life” and then go back into the “Original” Skynyrds catalog and listen to “Mississippi Kid” “Am I Losin” “Made In The Shade” “Swamp Music” or “I’m A Country Boy” and tell me they don’t sound similar lyrically and musically. Gary took over the band physically and metaphorically when Ronnie died and he is continuing in the direction Ronnie would want. Ronnie said in an interview once that he, Gary and Allen were so close and similar that only one of them had to be there when a decision was needed because they all knew what the other would want, and Gary is doing precisely what the original band would want

[joe_pete7]

... how about bands, or anyone in general who has no idea what they are talking about, not talk about politics?.. and yes. i am conservative. and angry about the lack of good lyrics that dont totally contradict what i believe in

[Picklelerner]

its kind of expected to not be as great as their original stuff, i mean srsly how many other bands with the exception of U2 really last so long anyway? But i still think they shouldnt call themselves Lynyrd Sknyrd...theyre not Lynyrd Skynyrd, just like Guns n' Roses right now, totally different band set up. All they do by keeping the original name is get criticized and compared with the original band, u can meet or exceed the expectations of being someone you're not.

[Picklelerner]

***can't meet or exceed

[RUSTDOGG666]

why is this band putting out more albums? it will never be what they used to. theres like what three or four of the original members that are dead. we just heard of two die this year.

[Branch37]

Yall say only one original member is still with the band? Am I the only person that knows that Rickey Medlocke left skynyrd before they got big to form Blackfoot, and now hes back?

[rebel rocker]

Much credit to you, Branch37 for knowing that Rickey was in the band before they made it big, unfortunately him being an “original” member is debatable because of that fact. It could be argued either way but in the end the facts are that Rickey grew up with them and was there in the same situations as them through all the times they write about in their songs, so he can be considered original

[alkalineweeman]

bmarlatt1685 wrote:

jonnyharris1 wrote:

very wel written alkalineweeman. As a melody i quite like that song, but as with you I find the lyrics very ignorant and rediculous.
Just like I find Eddie Vedder ignorant and ridiculous, but that doesn't take away the fact that I think Pearl Jam's first three albums are great. How come with liberals it's about our right to express our views, but with conservatives like Ted Nugent and Lynyrd Skynyrd it's "They need to stick to the music." Completely hypocritical if you ask me.

Not hypocritical in the least, i very much doubt you'd find a gun toting, god fearing, Christian red-neck buying say a Leftover Crack record on account that they are anti-religious, anti-homophobic and anti-gun (if you even hit back with "shoot the kids at school" or "one dead cop" you missed the point completely).
It's a simple fact that i would not send a donation to the KKK or any Christian church because i don't beleive their veiws and dont want to effectivly sponsor their message.
Just because Lynyrd Skynyrd are musicians doesn't change the fact that by buying their record i would be supporting their ideals which i wouldn't want spread to my children as i find them ignorant just the same as some one who shares their views wouldn't support a movement to have religion (in any form) or gun ownership abolished.
Rebuttle over i have strayed way too far off topic on this record.

[Right-Wing Dick]

I wish Rickey Medlocke would quit this red-neck crap and reunite with Blackfoot, even though Jackson Spires is now with The Great Spirit in the Sky. Blackfoots "No Reservations" album is hard rock at its best.

[voodrew]

I agree with all the people pointing out how hypocritical it is for reviewers to focus on the politics of Lynyrd Skynyrd when so many bands espouse a constant rant of left wing garbage without comment.

[motley-4-life]

I love this new album. Those of you that do not like this album just because members died. I think that is a bad reason to not like this album.I know its sad and noone will ever take the place or ronnie, or billy, or steve and so on.I think people need to keep an open mind about this album. and i love the point the band is getting across lyrically. I think everyone needs to stop and truly listen to songs like god and guns or that aint my america, or simple life. I think this country would be a much better place if everyone did what thos lyrics said.

[A7x_1993]

I think that the tune for every song is there.'ya know.country style.but only thing that doesn't make it good is that Lynyrd Skynyrd's solo doesn't seem clear.it's been..drowned by the drums and bass.

[Bob_Rock]

Great album, sounds very fresh and yet it's still good ol' southern rock, and combination of hard rock!!!!

[rockerwannabe]

lolololol

Connies today are being very amusing.

GD isn't socialist buddy. I doubt you've ever heard a socialist band in your life.

Anyone who isn't blatantly conservative is a socialist in my book. It's just easier that way for me. And if I haven't heard a real socialist band, then good for me! And someone later mentioned that Green Day was terrible. Outside of like 2 songs (one of which I can't even remember) they are terrible. Y'all just need to relax and listen to the music.

[Eternium]

rockerwannabe wrote:

lolololol

Connies today are being very amusing.

GD isn't socialist buddy. I doubt you've ever heard a socialist band in your life.

Anyone who isn't blatantly conservative is a socialist in my book. It's just easier that way for me. And if I haven't heard a real socialist band, then good for me! And someone later mentioned that Green Day was terrible. Outside of like 2 songs (one of which I can't even remember) they are terrible. Y'all just need to relax and listen to the music.

You should listen to Refused.

[ndschroede23]

rockerwannabe wrote:

Anyone who isn't blatantly conservative is a socialist in my book. It's just easier that way for me.

Well that's pretty much the scariest thing I've ever heard.

[ExtremeMetalFTW]

rockerwannabe wrote:

lolololol

Connies today are being very amusing.

GD isn't socialist buddy. I doubt you've ever heard a socialist band in your life.

Anyone who isn't blatantly conservative is a socialist in my book. It's just easier that way for me. And if I haven't heard a real socialist band, then good for me! And someone later mentioned that Green Day was terrible. Outside of like 2 songs (one of which I can't even remember) they are terrible. Y'all just need to relax and listen to the music.

You certainly aren't helping the conservative image with your ignorance. It's quite sad you lump so many different political groups all into one category. In doing so, you often put in contradictory and opposing political viewpoints.

As for that being good for you, you yourself contradict this by saying that we "just need to relax and listen to the music" because apparently we should, but you don't have to.