They’re coming. The anticipation is real. Will they represent a sea change in American politics or just another day of MAGA myopia? Odds are usually stacked against the governing party at the midterms but lately all bets are off on predictions about US political trade-winds. We’ll just have to wait and see. As the anticipation builds we can check in with a variety of powerpop pundits not afraid to share their views about all things political. Definitely more CNN than Fox but what can I do? I’m working with the available material here.

Seems appropriate start with some seemingly patriotic material. I say seemingly because Sorry Monks‘ “We The People” portrays the people are not as in charge as we might think and he’s not even American. As he says ‘We the people” gotta pay the price, four more years of pettiness and vice.’  Then Beatles 2 claim to offer a “Hail to the Chief” but their sincerity is questionable. I don’t know who Beatles 2 are but they get a nice inner city jam going here.

The midterms are ultimately about what the voters are going to do. The ChrisVandaly Project pose the essential question to Mr. and Ms. America, namely “How Will You Know” what is real from what is not? You gotta find somebody to trust. People like Jeff Shelton seem pretty trustable. His Well Wishers lay out what is at stake on “I Want My Country Back” with a plea to return to all that has been noble in the American experiment of self government. By contrast, The Blusterfields expose the darker side American experience on their recent LP Thoughts and Prayers. The album explores the inequality and unfairness of American life, shining a light on both those who will not see and those made invisible. But “Here Come the Idiots” focuses its a damning indictment on the MAGA crowd and their enablers.

The Menzingers turn our attention to just who these people are claiming to ‘clean the swamp’ and defend the people. “Other People’s Money” highlights the charlatanry behind these slogans. A band called The Puritans seemed just too apropos not to include here, especially when they are singing how “I Am Surrounded By Evil.” Ok, I admit they probably had me with the ringing guitar drone. Former Mountain Goats bassist Peter Peter Hughes gives us a bit more analysis of the present moment and the illusions that need shattering on  “The End of Your Empire.”

The Ekphrastics lay out an electoral strategy that pays particular attention to all the various races that are in play on “Antifascist Electoral Voting Strategy.” As they sing, ‘Vote ‘em out, throw ‘em out, vote ‘em out’ if that’s your jam.

Maybe it’s the beginning of the end for this bizarre political interlude America has been going through. Or maybe it’s not. Let the countdown to voting day begin.

Photo courtesy US National Archives Photostream.