Keds's Full Review: Rock Art and the X-Ray Style by Joe Strummer
Since The Clash, Joe Strummer has remained musically quiet, with just one release prior to ‘Rock Art & The X-Ray style’. I was slightly skeptical upon buying the CD, I was paying £16 (that’s around 24$!) at my local extortionist record store for just 10 tracks. Little did I know at this point what damn fine tracks these were.
Strummer has managed to create a unique style, in times congested by repetitive and generic popular music. The opening track ‘Tony Adams’ is exactly how I imagined the music being – strong, and reminiscent of ‘London Calling’. From the consistency of Strummers efficacious rhythm guitar to the thoughtful lyrics, this is an excellent track. The next song ‘Sand Paper Blues’ then completely threw me. It‘s a huge change in mood and style. No comparison can be drawn between it and any other song on the album. I have to admit though, this is the only track on the CD which I skip. The samba sound and the chanted lyric ‘ay ay ay’ did not suit me at all. Despite this, I had to respect the diversity and the gesture.
After this, there are no songs that I considered a dip. It just keeps getting better. Amongst the best are ‘X-Ray Style’ which is entirely given it’s character by Strummers catchy vocal melody and again insightful lyrics, and ‘Forbidden City’ which is my personal favorite off the album, another laid back, well paced composition with a chorus that just keeps repeating itself in my head.
I’d definitely recommend this to all music enthusiasts, whether you’re a Clash fan or not. Upon first listening, it leaves you wanting to play it again immediately, simply because the range of styles is so intriguing and well carried out. As with much music, the more you listen, the more you like. Since purchasing it a few days ago, 'Rock Art..' has scarcely left my CD player.
I’ve not had time to fully read the lyric book yet, but I can certify that Strummers writing skills have declined in no way. In some songs, he recalls past memories in a straight-ahead style, in others he describes feelings and thoughts, shrouding it all with elaborate language – giving you something to think about and figure out.
The best thing about the words, the music and the recording in general, is that it all just seems to flow. The Mescaleros are an extremely tight band. Some of the songs are a little difficult to get into at first, mainly due to the rapid changes in sound, but it soon becomes easy to listen to. As long as you’re prepared to be open to some new styles, get this album. It’s extremely well rounded and produced. Although, you should search for a better price than I paid, I’m sure it’s there.
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