Street Sweeper Social Club – The Ghetto Blaster EP

Boots Riley and Tom Morello may be two of the coolest people in rock and roll today. Both have had extensive, influential and lengthy careers in their respective genres. Riley fronting the political minded hip-hop duo The Coup and Morello providing the guitar work in Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave and, more recently, his solo project – The Nightwatchmen. Their decision to join together and produce Street Sweeper Social Club was greeted with cheers of excitement from every corner.

With Street Sweeper Social Club, they continue their reign of cool – controlling the stage with matching outfits and aviators blocking their eyes as they bring their “mother fucking social club” to the masses; and when they did that they took complete control of the Vans Warped Tour earlier this year.

That’s why I was so shocked with the disappointing intro to their sophomore release, The Ghetto Blaster EP. The title track, which opens the album, comes off uneven and strained. Morello’s guitar work is in full force but falls to too many clichés – something Morello never does and Riley’s rap vocals can’t save the tune and the rap-rock album starts off on the wrong foot.

Luckily for us, Street Sweeper Social Club picks it up and the rest of the EP lives up to the band’s reputation of cool. With three cover songs (MIA’s Paper Planes, LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out along with The Coup’s Everythang), two originals and a remix of Promenade (the highlight from their debut album and highlight here once again), The Ghetto Blaster EP capitalizes on Morello’s famed hybrid riffs and Riley’s political inspired lyrics.

A mixture of metal, punk, and rock – Morello shows why he’s considered one of the best guitarists of all time with his heavy riffs, staccato timing and innovative use of effects – which helps them pull of a perfect cover of Paper Planes.  When they hit their stride, they’re able to perfectly balance the anger and angst of Riley’s vocals and Morello’s heavy instrumentation with the need to throw a fist in the air and let off some steam.  Riley’s lyrics are sharp, pointed and yet delivered with a sense of humour that helps even out the anger within them.  Listen to The New Fuck You which ironically depicts the decline of society (“Weed smoke is the new incense / two bucks is the new ten cents / 3 strikes is the new lynchin / buying is the new rentin /…. Hip hop is the new rock now / curfews are the new lockdown /  gunshots of the new cricket chirps”) and you’ll hear Riley effortlessly rattle of rhyme after rhyme with ease and confidence.

Other than the shaky beginning, Street Sweeper Social Club have delivered a heavy rap-rock record – one that won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but one that makes you want to pump your fist and tap your foot at the same time.