I Know I'm Not Alone

Aroview: Michael Franti, the African-American songwriter of politically-charged American band Spearhead (and formerly the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy), crafts a loose-ended, but serious travelogue by journeying to Iraq, Israel and Palestine, with guitar in tow, in an effort to hear perspectives not offered in usual media coverage of the various military occupations.

Managing to emotionally disarm most of those he encounters, Franti finds that music is indeed a universal passport to soliciting some surprising and insightful commentary from civilians and soldiers alike, as he wanders into combat zones, barracks and public hangouts. Driven by a personal viewpoint and informative voiceover, this succeeds in conveying a humanistic perspective all but lost in the usual media and political rhetoric - for all its earnestness, a quiet and thought-provoking achievement.

more matches…