Musicians denounce war stance

Initially, the music world’s response to the war in Iraq was pretty much the sounds of silence.

But today, outraged artists are mouthing off in songs that don’t stop with appeals for peace, love and understanding.

“Let’s Impeach the President” is one of the incendiary titles on Neil Young’s “Living with War,” a potent set of songs slamming the Bush administration.

Paul Simon’s new CD, “Surprise,” includes the tune “Wartime Prayers,” which observes that “people hungry for the voice of God hear lunatics and liars.”

Early sales for both albums are considered substantial for veteran acts shunned by radio.

Younger artists also are finding that politics and profits aren’t mutually exclusive

Pink’s “I’m Not Dead” features an eloquent but scathing indictment, “Dear Mr. President.”

And the first single from Pearl Jam’s self-titled new album, “World Wide Suicide,” is a ferocious swipe at leaders who “tell you to pray while the devil’s on their shoulder.”

The song sold 55,000 downloads and was the fastest-rising modern rock track since U2’s “Discotheque.”

“I think it’s a positive sign that a song with some content can be played on the radio when three or four years ago it wasn’t allowed,” says Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. “Freedom of speech may be more alive than we thought.”