Ever since last week we've been completely fascinated with metal musicians in step with the times. Last week we featured Sammy Hagar, and this week we're very happy to bring you a brand new video by Megadeth called "The Right To Go Insane."

Megadeth, a vanity musical project of guitarist Dave Mustaine, had their heyday in the mid-1980s with cleverly-titled albums like Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?, Rust In Peace, and Youthanasia. And Wikipedia notes that "Of the 'Big Four' thrash metal bands (Megadeth, Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer), Megadeth is second only to Metallica in sales and commercial success." Not only do they still exist in this, the present day, but bass player David Ellefson recently rejoined 'deth, an event their fans seem to find significant.

"The Right To Go Insane" is based on the true story of Shawn Nelson, a suicidal ex-serviceman who, in 1995, stole a tank from a San Diego military base and went nuts, crushing signs, fire hydrants, and an RV in a 23-minute

Like everyone, Framed was riveted when it was revealed last week that country music star Chely Wright was a lesbian. "By gosh," we thought, "this gives us the chance to make tawdry double entendres and, in general, lower the value of the Framed reading experience. Which, come to think of it, is hard to do."

But then we thought again.

"What if we simply ignored this lesbian-ness?" we thought. "Wouldn't our readers--intelligent and good-looking, the lot of 'em--applaud us for taking the high road? Might we not be nominated for some sort of 'blog award,' which we probably richly deserve, anyway? Wouldn't every single reader post their abject thanks, especially given today's divisive culture?"

Yes, they would, we concluded. And that's why we're bringing you Chely Wright's big hit, "Single White Female," with no off-color remarks at all. We're simply that good. Thank you for reading.

1 -- "Is that Y! Music editor Dave DiMartino in a tutu? Or is that just a frilly skirt?"

2 -- "Truffles!

Hello, readers, and welcome to Framed, the only music blog that mentions Franz Kafka this week.

Kafka was born in Prague in 1883, 103 years before this week's video--"Papa Don't Preach" by Madonna--was made. During his short life he wrote three novels and numerous short stories. And, despite an almost total lack of recognition during his lifetime, Kafka is now regarded as a wildly original talent and one of the most influential writers who ever lived.

Madonna was born in Michigan in 1958 and became the best-selling female recording artist of the 20th century. She's sold more than 200 million records in her lifetime. Her influence during her lifetime has gone well beyond music; she's a one-woman cultural touchstone who's weighed in on sexuality, dance, video, and even clothing. 

Kafka's art is laden with ambiguity, absurdity, and existentialism.

Madonna's art is chock full of rhythm, libido, and that mole she has.

What's our point?

They're both equally good! 

Let's do captions!

1

Hello, readers, and welcome to Framed, the internet's only worthwhile site! This week we're looking at the video for the great 1984 song "If This Is It," by Huey Lewis & The News. You'll be glad you came by!

Regular readers may have noted our fascination with the videos of the 1980s, and this gives us a chance to explain. The music of the '80s was best-defined by the music videos of the '80s. It was during those years that video was elevated to an art form; many times, in fact, the video was more important to commercial success than the song itself. And, for better or worse, the videos generally told a story.

Yes, it was an era of glorious Reaganesque possibilities! And one band that explored those possibilities was Huey Lewis & The News, a sort-of bar band out San Francisco whose congenial whitebreadedness was just the thing for '80s sensibilities. Huey, who also has a real name, fronted the dutiful News into multi-platinum success: the band has sold something like 30 million records