On The Feral Crow
Fans of Ainslie already know about his passionate interest in social activism. That spirit is there in abundance on “The Feral Crow,” which takes an unflinching look at some painful issues.
At least five of the 11 songs on the CD might fairly be called topical, including the title track, which talks about environmental degradation and domestic violence; “It’s My World Too,” which paints a painful portrait of a millworker who loses his job and much of his self-worth; and “Confession,” a song about the torture and murder of Steven Biko.
“Confession” is a stunning song which puts the listener in the mind of a torturer and jarringly juxtaposes images of human cruelty with the mundane gestures of everyday life.
In light of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, “Confession” carries a particularly sharp sting.