As many people are aware of or not, Joe Strummer does have an impressive post-clash discography, even if it is a little short. When Joe Strummer's (b. John Graham Mellor, 1952-2002) legendary band The Clash officially disbanded in 1986, Strummer strayed away from media attention. He moved away from music for a while and focused more on acting. He appeared in such films as
Walker and
Straight To Hell both directed by Alex Cox and released in 1987. However, he was the sole contributer to the Walker soundtrack, which was mostly Spanish instrumentals with jazz overtones. He also contributed greatly to the Permanent Record (1988) soundtrack. But back to acting, he played a small role in the movie
Mystery Train two years later in 1989. But that same year, Joe began working on a solo album with backing band The Latino Rockbilly War which would be his only album that would be credited under his name alone (though not counting his work on the Walker Soundtrack). The album was titled
Earthquake Weather, and was received well by fans but didn't do very well commercial wise. But most importantly, it showed signs that Joe was still interested in making music. Joe remained out of the spotlight throughout the early to mid nineties for the most part. He did however fill in as lead singer for The Pogues during a tour in 1991 and produced their album
Hell's Ditch. But other than that, he kept quiet other than making some guest appearances on other a few other lesse-known band's albums here and there and lending some songs on some minor movie soundtracks. But in the late nineties, Joe formed together The Mescaleros, and it would gain him back the attention he deserves and would see him relive his glory days that he did with The Clash, although it was cut too short.
After getting out of his previous record contract with Sony, and being signed to the Californian punk label, Hellcat Records, Joe and his band got into the studio to record this debut album in 1999,
Rock Art and the X-Ray Style (with album art by British artist Damien Hirst), and would mark the first time in ten years Strummer had released any new material as an album. Following the album's release was a European and North American tour which included this new material, along with some Clash songs. This album consisted of ten tracks and totaling almost fifty minutes in length. The album got many fans of Joe Strummer and The Clash excited about the new release. But this would sound very far from The Clash's material. Although The Clash experimented often, especially in their later work of
London Calling and
Sandinista!, The Mescaleros furthered the various musical styles or rather expanded on it playing a wide range of styles from rock, folk, techno, funk, reggae, and world music. Something Joe was always interested in was the African culture and African music. He utilizes that style a few times on this record, most noticeably on the second track
Sandpaper Blues with the effective use of bongo drums, backing tribe like vocals, and numerous other foreign instruments.
Rock Art and the X-Ray Style is not a very heavy album as it has more of a laid back feel to it. Although this album does not have as much straight foward rock as later Mescaleros albums would have,
Global A Go Go and
Streetcore, more so the latter, Joe and the gang use the diversity to its full potential. However, Strummer still shows he can play some rock demonstrated in the track
Diggin' The New. It is not very heavy mind you, but does its job well as a rock song and expands the range of genres here.
Joe Strummer, despite being in his late forties here, gives a strong vocal performance, and doesn't even sound as though he has aged all these years, but at times sings in a calmer manner which he does extremely well. Some songs don't have the intensity of the older days, but his calm and relaxed voice sooths each song well. But Joe can still belt out those powerful yells in which he does in
Techno D-Day, making it one of the better vocal acts on the album. But Joe's backing band should not be overlooked or not be given enough credit. Each one is multi talented and can play a number of instruments and there are numerous instruments used here ranging from the basic guitar, bass and drums to the turntables, synthesizers, strings and saxophones. Martin Slattery does a great job on keyboards and plays a good portion in some songs such as
Yalla Yalla and
Forbidden City. Slattery also plays other instruments like the flute and saxophone which are best demonstrated on songs like Sandpaper Blues, probably the most diversifying track on the album. Pablo Cook plays the different types of drums like the bongos, steel drums and kettle drums. Some of his best performances on the album include the semi-title track X-Ray Style and yet again,
Sandpaper Blues. Steve Barnard a.k.a "Smiley" plays the standard drums here on songs such as
Forbidden City. For the standard instruments or most common, there is Scott Shields on bass, and Anthony Genns (who also plays piano and the synthesizers) on guitar along with Strummer.
Yalla Yalla features the heaviest use of synthesizers. The majority of the songs here are done acoustically guitar wise, but the electric guitar is used still, displayed on tracks such as the album opener
Tony Adams,
Techno D-Day, and
Diggin' The New. Even with all these various types of instruments which may seem disorganized or disordered, it doesn't and each one seems to flow well making for smooth song transitions.
Perhaps the thing that carried on from The Clash's work to The Mescaleros' the most, or at least one of them, is the lyrics. Joe hasn't lost his capability to write intelligent lyrics covering issues from current problems in society, social awareness, politics, to simply his poetic skills about personal events or stories. Joe sings of current events that were happening at the time like his quarrel with the police at the 1998 Megadog festival in
Techno D-Day as he sings in the first verse
"Well it was a techno D-day out on Omaha beach; I was a reserve D.J playing Columbian mountain beats; Andres Landero, Ay mi sombrero; Hold onto your hats because we gotta go". But the lyrics which shine the most here are the well written poetic ones. His skills are demonstrated well on tracks like
Road To Rock & Roll as he sings
"On the road to rock 'n' roll; With everybody deep in their dreams; And the snow is falling on the city; Ask the music what it means" and the album concluder
Willesden To Cricklewood which has cuts like
"Let's hip-hop at traffic lights; Ten thumbs up and smilin' bright; Crossing all the great divides; Color, age and heavy vibes". And practically every song features a good portion of lyrics, with lots of detail, witty metaphors, and clever use of words. To sum it up in short, the lyrics are one of the major pros of the album and one of Joe's strengths. Some of these are Joe's best, old or new.
While some may argue that
Rock Art and the X-Ray Style isn't the best of the trio of albums the Mescaleros released during their time, it definitely has some of their best songs. The track
X-Ray Style is a peaceful, acoustic tune, with very little instruments used with the exception of the calm bongo like drums used and some Spanish guitar. But with the use of less guitars and bass, it really compliments Joe's voice. The song does remain a laid back feel to it, with the precise Spanish guitar used efficiently making for one of Strummer's best songs in any band.
The Road To Rock & Roll is one of the highlights here as well. With an almost rockabilly sort of feel to it, and the effective use of turntables, it makes an unusual blend but actually works quite well. It is just as laid back as
X-Ray, and just as good. The album opener
Tony Adams is a strong way to start off. The song will instantly let you know you're in for a lot of variety here. Seeing how The Clash played lots of reggae in their day, Strummer continued his fascination with reggae music and included it here, along with a number of others here which have reggae beats or reggae influences, which is also showed on
Yalla Yalla. Tony Adams is built around the main beat similar to that of
The Guns of Brixton. It's a very groovy song and Joe sings well over it with a fun, refreshing chorus lyrics of
"I'm waiting for the rays of the morning sun; somebody tell me clearly, has the new world begun". The saxophone is also used well in this song which lasts over six minutes.
Techno D-Day is probably the hardest hitting song here, and sounds as though it could have been from the 1980's era Clash. With the use of techno synthesizers as the name would suggest, over some distorted guitar and pounding drums, it's rather heavy compared to the rest.
Diggin' The New is the most straight forward rock song here, as well as the shortest at just over three minutes. Guitars play the major part here, as in many rock songs, but Joe's vocal melody highlight this one along with the backing vocals in the chorus. Aside from being one that sounds like no other here, its one of the best too.
Forbidden City is another gem here. It has the perfect mix of rock and world music which makes for a signature Mescaleros song. It is also noteworthy that it has one of the best chorus' on the album and a cool keyboard breakdown in the bridge.
Rock Art and the X-Ray Style closes on a quiet note.
Willesden To Cricklewood is the softest on the album and one of the best as well. Joe's serene vocals contrast perfectly with the light piano, for a well done, emotional song. Needless to say, it is a suitable ending to an excellent album.
This is an impressive debut album or rather comeback album from a guy who hasn't recorded an album in ten years. It shows the many talents of Joe Strummer, and his ability to compose together immense, meaningful songs. His songwriting shines as much as it did twenty years ago, and his musicianship is just as good. This record however may not appeal to everyone or even most, but don't let the various musical styles intimidate you from getting this album. Even if some songs sound like you won't like them, you'd be surprised, because I was too. Even though this doesn't really sound like The Clash, I would recommend
Rock Art and the X-Ray Style to true fans of them, Joe Strummer himself, or just anyone who likes some variety in their music or wants to start. Just another look into what makes Joe Strummer brilliant and one of the most important figures in music.
4/5
Recommended Tracks:
X-Ray Style
Forbidden City
The Road To Rock 'N' Roll
Willesden To Cricklewood
Tony Adams
