{"id":69567,"date":"2021-10-18T08:20:09","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T13:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=69567"},"modified":"2021-10-18T12:58:51","modified_gmt":"2021-10-18T17:58:51","slug":"anthem-for-america-crazy-lixx-and-the-american-exceptionalism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2021\/anthem-for-america-crazy-lixx-and-the-american-exceptionalism\/","title":{"rendered":"Anthem for America: Crazy Lixx and the American exceptionalism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Alexandra Mrozowska
\u2014 Senior Columnist \u2014<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

When you think America, you still can\u2019t help but think American exceptionalism. You can discuss it, doubt in it, maybe even ridicule it, but this idea still remains a part of your consciousness about the world order, no matter which side of the pond you occupy and which socio-political context you identify yourself with. The historical notion of the United States being somewhat destined to play a crucial and unique role in the history of humankind is still there, still a building block of our collective thinking. And as it continues to circulate in domestic and foreign policy of the US, you\u2019ll find it mirrored in plethora of artifacts of popular culture. After all, there\u2019s hardly a phenomenon that has a mass appeal and potential to reinforce (or suppress) certain socio-political consciousness equal to those of popular culture. That\u2019s why there\u2019s certainly a link between this fact and your favorite band praising all things American or giving the notion of exceptionalism a darker and more bitter twist – or both…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All flag unfurling aside, the sense of \u201cAmerican-ness\u201d is reinforced \u2013 or debunked \u2013 mostly in song lyrics, their rhetorical power laden with larger-than-life stylistic devices. And unsurprisingly perhaps, the message itself changes over time according to the political and social climate of the particular times \u2013 as the experience varies from one generation to another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take the majority of the 1970s and 1980s Arena Rock scene \u2013 the Baby Boomers. Their all-American remedy to post-Vietnam guilt and social issues was supposed to be chased with a generous gulp of infectious melodies and happy-go-lucky attitude. We\u2019ve had Night Ranger\u2019s firm re-assurance that \u201cyou can still rock in America\u201d (in spite of what, one could only ask). With Bon Jovi\u2019s Slippery When Wet <\/em>and New Jersey<\/em>, we\u2019ve received our fair share of the small-town idealism, bordering on naivety (a mere year after they dared to portray way more disenchanted picture in \u201c(I Don\u2019t Wanna Fall) To The Fire\u201d off their 1985 album 7800\u00b0 Fahrenheit<\/em>). And of course, there was KISS \u2013 a monument to American exceptionalism, uniqueness and gloriousness, if there ever was one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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