“Prophecies of War” is a kind of musical interpretation and discussion of modern warfare in experimental jazz format. In the booklet, composer Andrew Hanna points out that, “The reality of war is horrific, gruesome and deadly,” a sentiment which he and the others in Outward Bound try to express through the record in a variety of ways, combining cacophonous saxophones, wild drumming, the regular guitar/bass combo and some bits of poetry interspersed here and there. Unfortunately, while the record has a noble intent and is an experimental, potentially innovative concept which I support in theory, “Prophecies of War” comes across as both awkward and trite. Rolling musical lines which don’t seem to in any particular way reflect their thematic descriptions as I was expecting when reading the booklet are alright, but then not very impressive. There’s nothing wrong with the music, but then again there’s not much right or really exciting either. To be honest, the “poetry” is quite terrible as well in a pretentious liberal arts college kind of way, particularly on the final track “War” (I feel like scum). The words “bad” and “sad” are actually rhymed (sigh) - the obligatory reference to “America” as being the “Land of the free” and “Home of the brave” makes “Prophecies of War” come across as the same old embittered, resigned stuff I’ve come to expect from the radical youths of the United States when it could have been so much more.

Also, when Outward Bound seem quite intent on making some sort of statement on war (and from their commendable description of how, “War in the 20th century has been de-glamorized and portrayed more for its reality,” then I’m presuming it’s a negative view), it seems strange that Hanna chooses to end the booklet by writing that, “In closing, the work does not place emphasis on promoting a particular view point of war.” Come on! I was just getting impressed with how political music could actually be creative and original when they basically admit that the record takes no standpoint, and therefore, in my opinion, has very little purpose at all as a political piece of art.

The writers need to get more gutsy and stop using all these cliches in the lyrics. I want experimental noise jazz rock with an attitude just as much as the next guy, but this sadly gives me very little gratification in any creatively fulfilling way because of the seemingly haphazard build-up of the record and total refutation that the band are even bothering to make a statement.

Year Released: 2002
Label: CDBaby.com: Outward Bound
Related Link: Outward Bound
Date Reviewed: 2004-07-02
Author: Andreas