Back again, the Motihari Brigade is here to awaken our collective consciousness and carry on their pursuit of creating “Rock-n-Roll Thoughtcrime” for the real independent thinker. The very essence of their existence lies in their defiance, which is why they named themselves after Motihari, India, which is the place of origin of George Orwell, their inspiration and truth-seeking mascot. This one-of-a-kind musical genre was concocted by none other than Eric Winston, the rebellious guitarist, singer, and lyricist. On the 15th of April, Winston unveiled his latest masterpiece, the song “Fortunate Son,” and now is the right time for us to explore its depths.

The song kicks off with a methodical, rhythmic count down from ten, almost immediately followed by the sudden collision of guitars and drums. There is definitely a sense of purpose in these initial few seconds; this is not merely an introduction but an unequivocal statement of intent. From the very first note, the band makes it clear that they are serious business, setting in motion an intense momentum that ensures the listener will be rewarded in kind. This is a piece that demands complete attention from the outset, informing the audience that they are dealing with musicians who have much to say and the music to say it with.

In order to comprehend the spirit behind this cover version, one needs to trace its roots. First introduced by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969, “Fortunate Son” is one of the most iconic protest songs, an outright condemnation of the class divide and the safe, sheltered enclaves of the wealthy and influential elite. The song arose out of the harsh reality of injustice that pervaded the draft selection process during the Vietnam War, where the façade of patriotism was stripped away to expose the truth: while those who bore the fortunate names and had the financial means managed to find their way out of the firing line, the brunt of the war effort was borne by the working class. Rather than a song that glorifies the brutalities of war, “Fortunate Son” is a protest against the exploitation of the common soldier and the detached attitude of the ruling class that revels in the glory of war while remaining safely ensconced within the walls of their homes.

In this version, the production value amounts to an acoustic explosion. The production of the original from 1969 had a swampy and raw rebellion that has now been taken to a whole new level by the Motihari Brigade. It is as if the song has undergone a metamorphosis and become a modern-day explosion of sound that will leave you in awe with its raw percussiveness. This arrangement does not just recreate but actually brings out the rebellious nature of the song through sheer intensity.

In any review I do, intentionality of the art is always something I look out for; that underlying theme, where there is no room for coincidence. In the case of the Motihari Brigade, it goes deeper than just the song’s lyrics, message, and performance itself; in fact, they have taken it one step further, using the artwork on the album cover to tell another part of their story. In the picture, a man clutches a megaphone with an expression that speaks volumes about the burning passion within him, stemming from the conviction that comes from telling the brutal truth. This man, whose actions serve as a direct contrast to those of the “fortunate sons” mentioned in the song’s premise, is shown leaning forward as he amplifies his voice, filling the distance that separates the silent and the loud. The band’s choice of image allows us a glimpse into the literal flesh and bones of the song’s spirit, an awakening call to every one of us to rise up and be counted.

This rendition is truly a work of fantasy, paying homage in such an elegant fashion that you could almost picture the spirits of Creedence Clearwater Revival giving the thumbs up. The Motihari Brigade has managed to pull off the rare balance between paying respect to the source material through a brilliant cover song while maintaining the integrity of its original message. Truly, when the “intentionality” is right, there’s no reason a piece of music can’t be considered both classic and radical. What an extraordinary performance from a group that obviously knows the significance of their tales. This has certainly left me truly moved, and I look forward to finding out just what will be taken apart next.

Stream “Fortunate Son” on Spotify

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