Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - 'Streetcore' (Hellcat)
3/5
By: Toby L
December 22nd 2002 is one of the dates sure to haunt music's past. Up there with the rebellious, skirmishing spirit and loving angst of the greats before him, the death of The Clash's Joe Strummer couldn't have proven more shocking.
A frequent on-the-roader, perhaps it was his tirelessly creative, grafting streak that boded the ill circumstance - a hesitance to quit, too much fire still lurking in the soul at the wrongs and travesties of the modern age. Whatever, he went down fighting - hopeful, idealistic and, seemingly from last studio-LP 'Streetcore', rightfully with music at the fore of his endeavour.
Most fascinating of his final release is the enduring relevance to themes explored elsewhere throughout his illustrious career; it's teeming with anti-political injustices, scrappy Jamaican-rhythms, up-tempo, growling rockers and that gruff, gravely vocal that defined his voice of a questioning, informed generation - never losing the intense confrontation that formed much of his artistic-enigma.
As with his time in The Clash, 'Streetcore' is unrelentingly eclectic, successful at each of its attempts - Johnny Cash-style introspection and country contemplativeness, 'Long Shadow'; dubby reggae wig-out, 'Get Down Moses'; the opening punk-thrash of 'Coma Girl' - the only unifier throughout often his ragged, sunken vox.
When Strummer attempts the anthems, within a drum-machine sampling, trashy 'Arms Aloft', or slowly patrolling, keyboard-strewn 'Ramshackle Day Parade', he scores definitive highlights, whilst a misty-eyed 'Redemption Song', bluesy/space-age instrumental 'Midnight Jam', and adaptation of Bobby Charles' 'Before I Grow Too Hold' (renamed here 'Silver & Gold') openly hark to his most considerable influences of the record.
Though still a distance from the soaring peaks of his wild youth, Strummer in his final days mustered a rivalling collection to any 'legend' still slogging the circuit with the 'old faves'. Except, even after death, Strummer's watchful ghost continues to haunt and inspire the vigorous, curious youth discontent with the authority-isms and prejudices that define and divide cultures and races - an endurance testament to the unique embodiment of his consistently forward-striving persona.
We should feel honoured, humbled to have met his being, and that a final memento as oft graceful as 'Streetcore' is available to savour in the aftermath of his tragic passing.
Artists in this article: Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros
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