By Grouch Rating 5 Scowls Streetcore
Streetcore
Thursday, 09 April 2009 07:49 | 
Author: The Grouch | 
You have probably heard of Joe Strummer, if you are under the age of 50 you have probably heard his music. Joe Strummer first became famous with The Clash. I first heard of the Clash in 10th grade; their album Combat Rock was the new "hip" thing for the kids in the suburbs. I actually remember thinking that album sucked - well OK not the entire album but the song Should I Stay or Should I Go really got on my nerves the 15.000th time I heard it.
Combat Rock did spark my interest in the band however. I heard London Calling and liked that much more. Spanish Bombs is a favorite. I even really like Train in Vain; its just so perky.
My niece Pixie Tourette became friends with Joe Strummer shortly before he died - as she always tells me "The Clash is the only band that matters."Â So Pixie this review is for you.
Streetcore was Strummer's last album. It was released after his death in 2003. The thing about this album that surprised me was just how really good it is. It strikes me as Folk-Punk or Woody Guthrie plugged in and pissed off. This is music even an old Hippie could love - and that says a lot, as the Punk rockers' mortal enemy is the Hippie ;-)
Track 1 - Coma Girl - I was crawling through a festival way out west thinking about love and the acid test. Then I saw the Coma Girl. Actually a very melodic song that tells a Bohemian love story. I didn't realize how well Joe Strummer could sing.
Track 2 - Get down Moses - I really like this song! The music rocks; I like the funky blues vibe playing over the reggae drums and organ. This sounds kind of like Bob Dylan when he went electric backed by UB40. Its good though - it really works. The lyrics sound like some old Jewish soul - Get Down Moses - Knocking down the Walls of Jericho All in all a killer track.
Track 3 - Long Shadow - Johnny Cash has his finger prints all over this one. This song is straight up folk music. It's a good song. Its interesting how many Punks really dig Johnny Cash. If you want to hear a really good version of Ring of Fire check out Social Distortion's Live at the Roxy.
Track 4 - Arms Aloft - the songs starts off a bit lame then the drums come in and he does some interesting things - then the chorus comes in with the rest of the band. Strummer sounds like he is singing in a vacuum; there is a bit of an echo on his voice. The guitar spits out some nice leads before going into a psychedelic bridge that leads back to the chorus. The song grows into a really good track despite its lame start. What is he singing? I really can't tell, but his voice sounds good.
Track 5 - Ramshackle Day Parade - slow start with lyrics about the day Marilyn died. I suppose some people like this song, because its so melodic. Personally it just doesn't grab me. It gets a bit better when the drums finally kick in and the guitar goes on a subdued rant then FINALLY after three minutes the guitar pulls out a really nice jam - the song actually rocks for about 45 seconds then fades into the next track.
Track 6 - Redemption Song - Joe Strummer does Bob Marley - well. This is a country version of Marley's song. Its good. I read somewhere that country music is white soul - I'm not sure if that is really accurate, but this country version of an old protest song is quite good.
Track 7 - We're back to rock and roll here. All in a Day is a good song with a good beat, guitar, bass and chorus. Its not complicated. Its straight forward. Its rock and roll. Its good! Talking about the Acid test - I think Joe may have dabbled just a bit ;-)
Track 8 - Burnin' Streets - I hear slide guitar in the intro. I like slide guitar a lot, so we're off to a good start. This is a pretty mellow tune, again this sounds quite Country like - then you hear the lyrics London is burning, don't tell the Queen. OK its British Country with some psychedelic guitar thrown in. The thing is that this seems so different from the music I always associated with the Clash. It is mature. Frankly, I am pleasantly surprised at the depth of these tracks.
Track 9 - Midnight Sam - This is London calling - This is a long song, almost six minutes - with Joe Strummer playing the part of a radio DJ while some mellow music floats out of the speakers. He uses quite a bit of delay/echo here, it makes me wonder what exactly was he hearing when he laid this down. I wonder if he saw the walls breathing as well? In any case, it works, whatever he had going on came out as a good song - this really reminds me of Rubber Soul. Is this the same guy that ranted against "Phony Beatle-mania"?
Track 10 - Silver and Gold - We're back in Country land - Yee Haw! I'm going to take a trip and kiss all the girls, I've got to hurry up before I grow too old. Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Joe Strummer - he is one of the greats of country music. Yee `Haw Pard'ner
The bottom line is this really IS a good album. I even like the last song although that might have something to do with the fact that Joe is dead and Silver and Gold is the last song on the last album he made.
I give this LP 5 out of 5 scowls. This one is a must.