Street Sweeper Social Club

Album Review

When Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello and the Coup's Boots Riley started making plans to put together a group, even rap-rock haters had to stand up and take notice. However, anyone expecting a revolutionary record was probably surprised by the outcome. Morello and Riley are both well-established as politically charged left-wing activists, but most of Street Sweeper Social Club's militant content is overshadowed by rallying party rhymes. The bulk of the record feels like it was made to be performed at live festivals, presumably for a drunken audience to hold up their lighters and shout along. Choruses include "Let's hit 'em with the Mega blast!," "Shock! Shock! We gon shock you again!," and "(Yee!) Alright muthafckas! (Coo coo!) We gonna fight, muthafckas!" Ice-T's Body Count, or even the Judgment Night soundtrack, might come to mind, considering that the arrangement sounds very '90s, but more than anything, it sounds like Rage Against the Machine Part 2 with a less riotous singer. While no Zack de la Rocha, Boots is no slouch with his delivery and he does a pretty good job keeping up with the heavy rhythmic chug laid by Galactic drummer Stanton Moore and Morello (who plays bass as well as guitar.)