1. The Shortest Straw (And Justice For All, 1984)
http://youtu.be/m2pQ7EEzwC4 On an album that prides itself upon its power, paranoia, brutality and sense of infinite dread, it must be a hell of a song for it to be able state a case for top of the class. The Shortest Straws whip-crack speed, subtle intricacy and some of the most sardonic wording since Woody Allens early films means that its status as one of the groups lesser-known songs is something of a mystery. Hetfields barked coda is a whos who of what the hell? in representation of a frantic world. We have witch hunts that help in determing decay, the public eyes disgrace and an unending paper chaseand thats just in the first verse!
Joseph Viney
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Currently undertaking NCTJ (journalism qualification), do a lot of music writing and very interested in literature, film, current affairs and anything else in between. Find me on Twitter - @jjviney
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Joseph