Joe Strummer, Mescaleros - Global a Go-Go
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Free Music Notes for Global a Go-Go
Free Music Review: A logical extension of X-Ray Style
Hit: 5 Stars
If you bought Rock Art & The X-Ray Style in 1999 (or even 1989's Earthquake Weather) you should know what you're getting with this CD. Take the world-music component of Strummer's recent work and diversify it a bit, with much emphasis on Middle-Eastern and Far-Eastern flavors. This time around, the songs are a little more sedate, a little more mature, with some very lush arrangements replacing the sometimes sterile sound of the previous album. More acoustic work is heard on this one, less dance-oriented material, more everything-and-the-kitchen-sink type approaches to the music. And it works like magic.Just a warning: this is NOT the Clash. I still think that there are people who will pick this up expecting to hear Clampdown II, well you won't find it. But if you are forsaking Strummer for staking out his own territory, and continuing to push his own musical boundaries, well... I feel sorry for you. You are missing out on some of his best work.
This is powerful stuff and further solidifies the theory that Joe is simply not capable of disappointing us. He seems to really be into the songs on this album.
Free Music Review: Their Best
Hit: 5 Stars
Joe Strummer was a larger than life figure in the music world, influencing countless people with the Clash, introducing many to different views and giving his all in more ways than one. The Clash fell, so did he. But like the champion he was, he rose with the Mescaleros, and created some of the finest music made since the Clash split. The culmination of the effort came with Global a Go Go. Drawing upon (obviously) world music, he's crafted his most solid album since his "London Calling," and set himself up to be the successor to Dylan and Guthrie. Equal parts rock, reggae, world, and folk, this album dares to make music again. Not the noise that you hear from many wannabe bands he inspired, but actual music, that lifted your soul, and managed to do it without dilluting any of the message. Unfortunately, it was a mark he had very little time to surpass. Streetcore, while amazing, doesn't quite measure up to Global a Go Go. And, on a completely unrelated note, the music video for "redemption song" is the only music video ever to make me shed a tear. RIP Joe.Free Music Review: Another strong outing from Joe
Hit: 5 Stars
Kind of hard to define Strummer's music, as he's got so many influences---but the thing is, he's never overpowered by his influences--he always sounds like Joe Strummer. I think this album is comparable to Rock Art, in the tone and direction of the songs. I think there's a bit more depth and soul to the SOUND of this one, though, with a greater emphasis on ethnic percussion and instruments really filling things out nicely. Something that's coming through on his solo albums, starting with Earthquake Weather, is a warmth, humility and wistfullness that wasn't ever at the forefront of his music with the Clash. Man, combined with his years with the Clash, if Joe keeps putting out an album like this every few years, he's going to have one of the most impressive bodies of work in the history of rock music.Oh, as far as the 17 minute closer----Joe has done his share of songs clocking in under 3 minutes--give him a break! I thought this was a very nice piece, that would not have sounded at all out of place on a Pogues album.
Free Music Review: Joe is my teen idol
Hit: 5 Stars
Previous reviews are accurate. It's an album that is a bit more focused on various rhythms and sonic texturing than melodies, in comparison to Xray Style. The ability to meld so many styles into his (their) own is pretty amazing, this is obviously a manifestation of Joe's "rebel music" philosophy. I love (on both albums really) how there are little snippets of breakbeats and drum machines, except thankfully no amateurish electronic sounds made this album - unlike Xray Style. The one song I don't like, or understand, is the "gamma ray" from Indianapolis. Anyone? Actually, the main things I wanted to add to the other reviews are 1) Tymon Dogg's violin work is amazing, especially that staccato stuff on "Bummed Out City," and 2) it's got Roger Daltrey on it!!!! I knew that backing vocal could NOT be Joe ("Please, don't let that voice be Joe... that's not you, is it Joe?"). Open the liner notes - Daltrey!! What a weird collabo. Anyway, cop it.Free Music Review: The best Mescaleros album
Hit: 5 Stars
I truly feel that this album was more organized, experimental, and overall "better" than Streetcore. Don't get me wrong, I love Streetcore and think it's an amazing album when compared to anything else, but it's just not on the same level as Global A Go-Go. And yes, I know Streetcore was release posthumous, with some songs only having one take and the like.
I think the melodies in Global are simply amazing. I love how some songs you can shake to, while others are simply "listen and chill". The experimental sound is something I always felt separated Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros from every other band out there right now, and it really shows in Global. Afro-beats, reggae, funk, folk, Spanish, it's all here!
Overall, an amazing album that any fan of Joe Strummer, ethnic-inspired music, or new music would be interested in. Period.