Dave and some other dude in younger/happier/drunker days.

I’m a reactionary. Go figure. Ever since I saw Crook’s post from this weekend about Alex Jones’ interview with Dave Mustaine, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the man. Mustaine…not Jones. Or Crook (OK maybe just a little bit Crook). Ironically, even, I haven’t had time to sit and really watch those particular links (with the sound on)—this is just the shallow depths of my hypocrisy—but I HAVE been replaying some of my favorite Megadeth albums on repeat, and I figured I’d share some of my (re-)findings with you-all and see how they shake out.

Before I do, however, maybe I’ll just wax poetic for a second. I have to admit to being one of those kids. One of those kids who, in 1992-93, approached everything the same way: “OK, how does this relate to Metallica?” It seemed that—especially at that time—you could more or less always answer that question pretty clearly, but certainly for Megadeth, the answer was clearer than the rest.

And I have to say, I feel really, really lucky. I’m old enough to have been exposed to Megadeth’s music even a TINY bit before Symphony of Destruction came out, and I’m young enough that I missed a lot of the huge, bloodthirsty rivalry between the two M’s: I didn’t feel like there was anything wrong with liking both bands. I didn’t feel like either was any bigger a sellout than the other…I don’t know why I mention this last point, but, well, there you go. A lot of dudes even a year or two older than me had to pick…one or the other. Which is a shit sandwich.

Dave Mustaine, Taekwondo ambassador!

Anyway. Mustaine is a very talented guy (see above). I think it’s safe to say that the guy knows his way around a goddamn riff, but—and here’s where I get ready to eat my words—I’m just winging it here…steering by feeeeel—he’s a pretty complex great clever awesome interesting lyricist, no? Obviously there are some choice hesher moments, but I’m always really struck by how sharp his couplets can be…how engaging his little verse-long story arcs are. I don’t know…it feels like he’s more than meets the eye.

Which is—absolutely—what I like about the man. I won’t lie to you: ‘Some Kind of Monster’ is one of those movies that I can watch any day, any time. I don’t exactly LOVE it, but—like a few other choice gems that, for whatever reason, i can watch whenever—it’s just always sitting on top of my DVD player. Super-sap and over-engineered emotions aside, Mustaine’s segment of that movie is really captivating. This dude is a dude! I’ve caught a few ‘Behind the Music’-type shows about Megadeth (and Metallica), too, and for whatever reason, whenever Mustaine is on-screen, or someone is talking about him or his antics, I’m completely fascinated.

And so. Here are five of my favorite Megadeth songs (After the jump).  Nothing would delight me more than to hear what yours are…you can see my predilection to a particular era here…I have no defense, other than that I’m a slave to production value. Crook: thank you very much for your post this weekend. I can’t wait to sit down and listen to the dude being a crackpot.

Hangar 18 (Rust in Peace)

The military Intelligence
Two words combied that can’t make sense

The Killing Road (Youthanasia) [Riff +1]

I lost my mind, I lost all my money
I lost my life to the killing road

Captive Honour (Countdown to Extinction) [Intro +1] [Rap Skit +1]

And when you kill a man, you’re a murderer
Kill many, and you’re a conqueror
Kill them all…Ooh…Oh you’re a god!

Train of Consequences (Youthanasia) [Riff +3]

Life’s fabric is corrupt
Shot through with corroded thread
As for me I hocked my brains
Packed my bags and headed west

Holy Wars…The Punishment Due (Rust in Peace) [Epic +2] [+1 for including the origin story of Punisher]

Some people risk to employ me
Some people live to destroy me
Either way they die

- Hateball