Street Sweeper Social Club [PA] (CD - 2009)

Personnel: Stanton Moore (drums, percussion); Trevor Welch, Dave Gibbs, Eric Gardner, Jim Scott, Carl Restivo (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Jim Scott.

Recording information: NRG Recording Studio, North Hollywood, CA; PLYRZ Studio, Santa Clara, CA.

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 who expected a revolutionary record were likely disappointed 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 audiences to hold up their lighters and shout along. But more than anything, it sounds like Rage Against the Machine Part 2, with a less riotous singer. Boots is a great rapper who has never really gotten his due respect, and while he is quite capable of rapping along with the funk-metal backdrop, his vocals just don't seem as suited for anthemic stomps as Zack de la Rocha's screams did. Still there are some decent fist-pumping rhymes about giving it to The Man. And the rhythmic foundation laid by Galactic drummer Stanton Moore and Morello (who plays bass as well as guitar) is thick and solid. minimize