The Phoenix Network:
 
 
 
About  |  Advertise
Adult  |  Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures
 
CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features
BMP_concert-top-banner-fixed

Street Sweeper Social Club | Street Sweeper Social Club

Epic (2009)
By DAVID BOFFA  |  June 23, 2009
1.5 1.5 Stars

090626_sssc_main

Rap-rock group Street Sweeper Social Club have been hyped as a supergroup. They’re actually Tom Morello’s side project with Boots Riley from the Coup, an Oakland hip-hop group who haven’t even made the Billboard 200.

And there’s nothing super about their debut release; Morello beats heavy guitar riffs into the ground and Riley raps about grabbing “your partner by the chaps” and giving them a “pimp slap.” The blithe, lyrical approach is misplaced in the context of Morello’s domineering, effects-laden guitar sound.

“Clap for the Killers” sees Riley prattling on about giving “it up for the gangstas” as Morello plays a repetitive guitar passage for four minutes straight. The one bright spot — Morello’s bristling solo on “Fight! Smash! Win!” — is almost ruined by Riley’s flimsy wit: “Politicians are puppets, y’all let’s get Geppetto.” Other than the supergroup label, that’s the lamest thing on or about Street Sweeper’s debut.

Related: The Big Hurt: The Obama jubilance debriefing, Revolution rock, The Coup at ZuZu, More more >
  Topics: CD Reviews , Entertainment, Hip-Hop and Rap, Music,  More more >
  • Share:
  • Share this entry with Facebook
  • Share this entry with Digg
  • Share this entry with Delicious
  • RSS feed
  • Email this article to a friend
  • Print this article
Comments

Today's Event Picks
--> -->
ARTICLES BY DAVID BOFFA
Share this entry with Delicious

 See all articles by: DAVID BOFFA

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 



  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group