Broken Cash Machine: Song Analysis

A Path of Realizations features a variety of sounds from different eras. Songs are not placed in order of release date or grouped by genre. Instead, they are listed in a specific way to show a progression in attitude. The mix tells the story of becoming an anarchist punk. It starts with personal feelings of frustration, evolves to dissatisfaction with politics, and concludes with blatant desire to overthrow the government. A variety of punk subgenres are included in order to show that central messages can transcend across musical classifications. The purpose of creating this mixtape is to take the listener on a journey that is reality for many people, especially teenagers who are coming-of-age. It also allows the audience to explore the various

Four college aged formed Modern Baseball in Philadelphia in the early 2010’s. After self-producing their first album in 2012, the band collaborated with Run for Cover Records to release You’re Gonna Miss It All in 2014. Their music has been described as a mix of alternative styles, including emo, indie, folk, and punk. “Broken Cash Machine” can be best described musically as a fusion of indie and pop punk. Like many punk songs, it opens with a bass riff. The rest of the song keeps a smooth rhythm. Bass and drums are more prominent in the verses with the guitar coming in towards the end of each stanza. Instrumentals build to the final, repeated chorus of the song where they become heavier to complement the changing intensity of the lyrics. “Broken Cash Machine” is a narration of teenage awkwardness and questioning yourself. The song starts out by revealing the narrator's loneliness and moves to dissatisfaction with routine, then to reflection on how his ex, him, and his friends used to get along. For the rest of the track he questions himself, asking why events in his life fall apart despite his planning. Although this storyteller is far from anarchy, his reflection on why things go wrong will eventually bring up larger questions of society. Additionally, his blame of others, “it’s your fault I can’t relax”, mentions he knows he can’t change

The Clash formed in 1976 in London. Part of the first wave of British punk bands, they incorporated a variety of genres into their music. Their third album, London Calling, was released in 1979 and helped them gain prominence in America. “Lost in the Supermarket” is both a criticism of commercialization and a tale of alienation as a result of growing up in the suburbs. The song takes a step forward on the path to rebellion by moving beyond self-critiquing to question a larger system. The supermarket is not as radical to revolt against as the government, but it is an easy system for budding anarchists or suburban teens to reject. The protagonist has not yet solidified what he hopes to accomplish, as signified by the repetition of “I’m lost”. The track’s soulful instrumentals are reflective of The Clash’s sound of fused musical styles. “Lost in the Supermarket” does not feature heavy punk rock instrumentals, but the singer’s attitude expressed in the track is undoubtedly punk. The softer music creates a peaceful atmosphere to signify the calm before the