One of rock's most revered and innovative guitar players of the past 20 years, Tom Morello has been lauded for his contributions to guitar playing. As a founding member of the political rap-rock band Rage Against the Machine, Morello's sound of squealing guitar solos with scratchy sounds as if he was being a DJ on the guitar has brought him massive acclaim. While Morello's guitar playing, for better or for worse, would help spawn the late 90s rap-metal craze, his work with Rage Against the Machine from 1992 to 2000 given the band a prestigious status for their groundbreaking sound. Following the disbanding of Rage Against the Machine, Tom Morello along with Rage's rhythm section in bassist Tim Cummerfold and drummer Brad Wilk decided to form a new band with former Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell called Audioslave.

The band's debut album released in November 2002 was a critical and commercial success while Morello ventured onto his own solo side project called the Nightwatchman that had him playing folk music. In 2007, after three studio releases, Audioslave broke up due to personality conflicts as well as Cornell's desire for mainstream acceptance. The rest of the band decided to reform Rage Against the Machine with vocalist Zack de la Roca while Morello also decided to venture into another project with the Coup MC Boots Riley. Riley's work with the Coup has garnered the group some acclaim but also controversy for Riley's own Socialist political stance. Notably the original album cover for their 2001 release Party Music that featured Riley and DJ Pam the Funkstress blowing up the World Trade Center. Morello's contributions with Riley became serious as in 2009, they unveiled their new project called the Street Sweeper Social Club.

Produced by Tom Morello with several songs written by Tom Morello and Boots Riley with two tracks co-written with session drummer Stanton Moore. Street Sweeper Social Club's debut release is a record filled with Morello's groundbreaking guitar work along with Riley's subtle yet engaging rapping. While the music may be similar to the work that Morello made with Rage Against the Machine. The difference is that the sound of the Street Sweeper Social Club dabbles more into elements of funk plus Riley's lyrics are less aggressive than the abrasive Zack de la Roca though both men share the same political views of socialism. While it may not have the same ferocity of Rage Against the Machine, the Street Sweeper Social Club's debut is still a record that rocks and gets the listener all riled up.

The album opener and first official single is the song Fight! Smash! Win!, an upbeat song with Tom Morello's shimmering, grinding guitars, pounding bass lines, and hard-hitting drum fills by Stanton Moore. With Boots Riley's fast, intense raps and rhyming with aggro-political lyrics as he is accompanied by Morello's chugging guitar. For the chorus, it's simple, direct message gets things going as Morello brings in his wailing, sliding guitar solo that blazes through. The album's current single 100 Little Curses features Moore's cadence-like drum fill and Morello's noisy, melodic noodling as it's a song that goes for a charge of aggression with Riley's engaging raps and pro-Socialist views that attacks high-priced, fashion-designed products. With its funky presentation and simple funk-rock arrangements, it's a song that keeps things moving with Morello's scratchy, sliver-like guitar solo.
 
The Oath starts off softly with Morello's arpeggio guitar washes as it has Riley rapping with despaired lyrics before Morello goes into a funky, rocking riff with a simple, bouncy mid-tempo rhythm. Riley's rap becomes more intense as he raps about making pledges to end his despair that includes a simple chorus that is engaging and to the point with Morello's chugging, driving guitar providing the musical accompaniment. The Squeeze is an upbeat rocker with charging, menacing riffs from Morello with hard-hitting drums from Stanton Moore. With Riley's Socialist lyrics and aggressive, engaging raps with its calm tone, it's a song that works while depicting a harsh imagery of what is going on. Clap For The Killers is a mid-tempo, bouncy track with Morello's drone-wailing guitars, funk-driven drum fills from Stanton Moore, and Riley's cool, laid-back raps with lyrics that are filled with black humor about killers with references to classic gangster films and James Bond. It's one of the album's standout cuts as it plays to a smooth, funky presentation that includes a swooning guitar solo from Tom Morello.

Somewhere In The World, It's Midnight is a mid-tempo track with bouncy beats, groove-laden guitars riffs and bass-lines as Riley raps with a cool, aggressive style with angry, dark lyrics. With Morello's funky, grinding guitar grooves that includes breaking drum fills and a squealing, melodic-swirling from Morello near its coda, it's a song works in its groove and aggression. Shock You Again opens with a fast-paced, hollow drum solo from Stanton Moore as it help drives the funky, droning guitars and bass with Riley's fast-paced, intense rapping. With a chorus that has a bouncy arrangement, it's Riley's dark lyrics about the chaos of the world along with Morello's rollicking guitar solo. Good Morning, Mrs. Smith opens with a smooth, rumbling rhythm with Morello playing both an acoustic and electric guitar before going for a full-on, groove-laden guitar grind. With Riley's fast-paced rap and despaired, troubling lyrics, it is supported by Morello's melodic-droning guitar solo in the chorus.

Megablast opens with a bouncy drum solo from Stanton Moore that is supported by Morello's wailing guitar squeals. Then the song goes into full-on rock mode with Morello's drone-charging guitars as it accompanies Riley's intense yet laid-back raps with Socialist-driven lyrics that are very descriptive. With Morello's grooving guitar in the chorus along with a squealing solo, it's a song that works in its arrangements and groove. Promenade is an upbeat, funky song with a warbling bass line and bopping beats that is led by Riley's cool, intense rap and aggressive, dark lyrics. With Morello's driving guitar playing for the chorus in a smooth, soft presentation, it does get loud for a blazing guitar solo where Morello wails in its performance. The album closer Nobody Moves (Till We Say Go) is a smooth, mid-tempo track with grinding guitar riffs, pounding bass lines, and a funky drum fill accompaniment. With Morello's guitar leading the pack with Riley's laid-back raps that becomes aggressive for the chorus as it features some simple, direct lyrics in the chorus with Morello's squealing guitar solo as it serves as a fitting closer to the album.

While it may not have the raw aggression of Rage Against the Machine, the Street Sweeper Social Club's debut is still an excellent, well-made rock record thanks in part to the combined talents of guitarist Tom Morello and rapper Boots Riley. While some may feel the record is repetitive in its musical presentation or lacking any type of innovation while others might not agree with Riley's Socialist-lyrics. It's a record that still shows that Tom Morello is truly an inventive, brilliant guitarist while giving audiences who haven't heard of Boots Riley a chance to see why he's an acclaimed MC. Already gaining buzz from their slot as the opening act for Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction in the recent NIN/JA 2009 tour. This is a band that must be seen as they bring out a nice, aggressive style with songs that are direct and to the point. In the end, for anyone that wants a record that rocks, gets you a bit riled up, and leaves you to do something. The Street Sweeper Social Club debut record is the album to get.

Related Reviews: Rage Against the Machine-S/T - Rage Against the Machine-Evil Empire - Audioslave-S/T - NINJA 2009 Tour Sampler EP - NIN/Jane's Addiction/Street Sweeper Social Club-5/10/09 Atlanta, GA Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater

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