"Bill Gates Must Die" by John Vanderslice

Since 1999, John Vanderslice has been crafting his melodic, analog-recorded pop gems, yet his biggest mainstream splash has been this edgy ode to computer porn, appearing on his 2000 debut, "Mass Suicide Occult Figurines". The rumor that Windows threatened legal actions over trademark violations was a hoax, but the absurdity of the song is most certainly not.

On the surface, "Bill Gates Must Die" employs many of Vanderslice's typical elements - rich melody, a refreshingly raw drum sound and that mildly awkward, smoky voice of his. The lyrics, however, provide a look into the mind of a hopeless internet porn addict, pointing the finger back at Mssr. Gates.

"Teeny, tiny little teens keep pouring out of my machine."

The song deals with both the availability and disposability of porn in the internet age, sentencing Bill Gates to death for "bringing me here"; in another words, making such a situation possible.

"I'll never make it back intact....Back doors, passwords galore, only the hackers, only the feds know."

It's a pretty strong slice of paranoia in our computer age, son. The biting guitar distortion does little to lighten the mood and this song is as good as any introduction to Vanderslice's unique tunage. "Mass Suicide Occult Figurines" is an incredibly solid (albeit short) debut, and is highly recommended, along with any of his first four albums.