THE NIGHTWATCHMAN
One Man Revolution
Epic/Sony BMG
· Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom "Arm the Homeless" Morello does whatever it takes.
They say that every guy wants to be Johnny Cash at some point in their lives, and that even Jimi Hendrix idolized Bob Dylan. Stepping away from the bright lights and big reverb of Audioslave, powerchord-cranking guitarist Tom Morello returns to his socialist upbringing in Libertyville, Illinois under the left wing of his activist mother. Nailing his guiding principles for existence to the cathedral door, Morello’s alter-ego The Nightwatchman (think V in a baseball cap) vents his frustration against the establishment with acoustic guitar and unaccompanied vocals.
Half preacher, half protester, Morello is a self-proclaimed one-man revolution who strives to give a voice to the voiceless, the downtrodden, the underrepresented masses but, in fact, it is the heretofore unheard timbre of his own voice that is the most anticipated sound on this breakaway release. Gruff, soft, mature and bluesy, The Nightwatchman’s sombre intonations recall those of Roger Waters, Bruce Springsteen and Leonard Cohen with a decidedly defiant Mojo Nixon twist. Conjuring Biblical metaphors and picket line sentimentality with tracks like "Let Freedom Ring," "The Garden of Gethsemane" and "Union Song," the simplicity of Morello’s streetwise lyrics belies the comprehensive understanding of this Harvard graduate who holds a degree in political science. As mournful as it is rebellious, this album of soapbox rallying cries is destined to join the annals of Americana.
|
Copyright ©2007 FFWD. All rights reserved.