Asif Khan Inc.

Street Sweeper Social Club – Street Sweeper Social Club

RATM guitarist Tom Morello adds another side project to his already existing alter ego as the Nightwatchman. Teaming up with Boots Riley (ex The Coup, an influential rap group from the 90s), he forges their political inclinations to form SSSC. It isn’t much of political message on their self titled debut album, but more of scathing incisiveness being leveled at the mega financial corporations which bought about the downfall of the global economy. The lead single “100 Little Curses” personifies the message in the form of well aimed shots from a quiver filled with mocking jabs ranging from damning their bubbly to wrecking their stretch limo. Boots has his way with words, both as a rapper and poet. The elegiac verses on “The Oath” begins with his poetic ruminations which are full of vivid metaphors before progressing into a chorus which undeniably has the catchiest hook to have come out this year (alright muthafucka, fight muthafucka…), and fails to leave you even long after in the form of echoes in your head. Similar is the effect of ‘Clap for the Killers’, a biting diatribe which pokes fun at politicians and pseudos. ‘Fight, Smash, Win’ though does bring back memories of Morello’s time with Rage. His guitar work contains the same punch now, though it has just mellowed down, in keeping with his current vocalist’s delivery style. With a relevant message, it is to be seen how deep the groove lines etch a mark.