When Dan Bern bursted on the scene back in 1997, his debut album was part Bob Dylan, part Lenny Bruce, but not so much full of protest music. Then, after 9/11 and the ensuing wars, Bern started releasing album after album of protest songs. His 2004 in-time-for-elections CD Anthems may not have succeeded in getting George W. Bush voted out of office, but it was, arguably, some of Bern's best work to date.

"Bush Must Be Defeated"

Employing the standards of great protest singers who came before him, Dan took the protest song a bit further, making a blatant call to action with tunes like, "Bush Must Be Defeated," and "Revolution Begins in the Basement."

Statements and Observations

Bern's latest effort, Breathe may be more overtly personal than political, but the basic intention is still there. Even in his most personal moments, Bern is still more reporter than love song singer. Bern is more of a natural poet and approaches his political tunes with the eye of a painter. Picking up where Guthrie and others left off, Bern's songs have evolved into statements about what he sees around him which, more often than not, depict as much beauty worth preserving as injustices worth correcting.

Great Albums by Dan Bern

New American Language |

My Country II |