laminatedsanta's Full Review: Rock Art and the X-Ray Style by Joe Strummer
After seeing Joe Strummer perform "Yalla Yalla" on HBO, I immediately biked down to my local CD store and grabbed this CD. First impressions: Why is the insert pink? Why are there only ten songs? What's with the funky cover art? Then I played the CD and the sheer inventive-ness of the musical styles on Rock Art pushed these questions aside.
The entire CD is one huge step up from the formulaic BS-music that is polluting most of the airwaves today, starting off with the ska-influenced percussive masterpiece of "Tony Adams" and ending on the soothing piano and string harmonies of "Willesden to Cricklewood". Along the way, Strummer's insightful lyrics, catchy melodies, and understated percussion rhythms take you on a bizarre, yet amazing, journey through the most diverse set of musical styles I've ever found on one CD. The list of influences you can hear in this album would span the globe, literally and figuratively.
Strummer has found a new sound in Rock Art, well, actually ten new sounds, but for some inexplicable reason, despite the sharp differences between songs, the album flows effortlessly, and it really comes off great. However, it is not another Clash album...do not buy this album thinking that you will hear songs reminiscent of London Calling or the eponymous debut, because you won't. Lastly, because of the broad range of musical styles encompassed in the album, you won't really like all ten songs, but if you want to hear something new definitely buy this CD.
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