Review:

on 2007-01-24 AndyFromJersey Said:

Truly an awesome album. Maybe I don't agree on the overall feel of it, but individual tracks are absolutely amazing. My favorites include "Coma Girl" and "Long Shadow," both of which perhaps unfortunately for me occur early in the album. The wide range of influence and overwhelming talent makes it great though.
Rating: 8/10

Review:

on 2007-01-22 green_clash Said:

December 22, 2002 is a day that will not be forgotten by the music world anytime soon. Joe Strummer, one of the most influential musicians ever to grace this world, died on that day of an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. Before he died, however, he had begun recording for his upcoming record "Streetcore". Unfortunately, he didn't get to finish this album before his untimely death. Martin Slattery and Scott Shields finished the production of the album and released it in October of 2003. Even though Joe didn't get to complete this album, the ten songs on it make it his best work since "London Calling". Unlike his previous Mescalero albums, "Rock Art and the X-Ray Style" and "Global A Go-Go", which both had a intresting world music thing going on, Strummer went into more of a rock and folk direction. Whether it's the punk rock anthem "All In a Day", the fantastic cover of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song", or Joe's second take on London's Burning, "Burnin' Streets", the album never ceases to amaze. This group had tons of potential but their time was cut short. Songs like the dark reggae stylings of "Get Down Moses" show that they could craft genuiely good songs. The pounding drums and the groovin' bass complimented with the addictive guitar riffs and fantastic vocal perfomances make this an irresistably excellent song. The album traverses through different musical sytyles, but unlike his previous works, they're styles that feel linked together. And the music is also unique because the songs don't sound like your traditional rock and folk songs. But the album can appeal to people that are acustomed to these traditional styles because the music doesn't stray away from these styles into obsucrity. Much praise has to go to the Mescalero's for being great musicians but it's undeniable that Joe steals the show with his heart-wrenching poetry and delivery. "Coma Girl" just sounds and feels like a song written by a man that has traveled across the globe and has seen more than anyone could imagine. It was also the last song Strummer would record guitar for. And the all acoustic "Long Shadow" (a song written by Joe Strummer for Johnny Cash to perform, but because Cash passed away, Strummer recorded it) also shows Strummer's experience in this world and the talent he has to craft enjoyable songs that are simple on first glance but are very deep on closer inspection. Joe also never lost the political fire inside him, which can be seen in tear-jerking songs like "Ramshackle Day Parade" which is a look back on the events that occured on September 11, 2001 and the terrible war that followed. All the songs are tremendous works of art and are comparable to The Clash's best works. The album ends with "Silver and Gold" (a cover of the song "Before I Grow Old") which perfectly sums up Joe's wonderful life. It's near impossible not to have a tear in your eye at the end of this album. Joe came into the music world with a bang, and he leaves just as he entered. God bless ya Joe, the world will miss you.
Rating: 9/10