Customer Reviews

Earthquake Weather

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Despite a few decent tracks, Earthquake Weather lives up to its title. For a majority of the songs this album was lyrically unfocussed, and badly produced. After the downfall of The Clash's: "Cut The Crap" Strummer wanted to produce a solo record that would sound like as much of a live band as possible. However the drums are too low in the mix, there are many layers of poorly sounding, hap hazzard guitars and theres way too much reverb pasted over the entire project. If you liked the songs Strummer contributed to The Permanent Record Soundtrack, (and you are a hard core Strummer fan) there are a few tracks you will enjoy off of this album."Gangsterville" has got some decent lyrics and is consistant with Joe's Rock/Reggae mix of music from his Clash glory days (packs a pretty good punch)."Island Hopping" is a good track lending itself to a more mature Joe Strummer sound. This song is one in which Joe himself liked to perform with The Mescalaros (live) up till the time of his death.You may also enjoy: "Sleepwalk" with it's eloquent Spanish guitar work, and reminescent lyrics like: "What good would it be if you could change every river than ran through your life and mine"... Unless you are a big Joe Strummer/Clash fan I could'nt recommend this album.However if you are a fan (like myself) don't go depriving yourself, it's worthwhile to try and find a copy of it.Rest In Peace- Joe (1952-2002).

Not Joe's finest moment, but an interesting and ambitious project. Not here to rate the music, though, but the fact that YES, this is an "official" CDR release. With a laser printer, a download of the album cover, and a CD-burner, you could make pretty much the same quality disc yourself. The back cover is some generic template, not the original back cover. The front cover is a none-too-clear laser printjob of the original, but it doesn't even exactly fit the case. There's nothing inside the booklet. And the sound quality is no improvement on whatever MP3 files have been kicking around online for years; there are even mysterious drops in volume (on track 6, say) that seem like they might be glitches... I suppose there's a place for cheapie CDr reissues - because Sony would likely have never invested in a "real" reissue - but don't the esteemed hosts of this transaction feel morally obliged to TELL YOU WHAT YOU'RE BUYING? This is NOT a CD. This is a CDr, indifferently presented, to cash in on the unsuspecting. Boo, hiss; prolonged sound of flatulence in the direction of A-m-a-z-o-n and S-o-n-y. Breathe it in!

BUYER BEWARE. Item on offer as new through Amazon is a CD-R of original issue with photocopied artwork. For example, there are no interior notes, whereas the original CBS issue contained lyrics to all songs, which are important with such a literate release.

I guess the reason why I love "Earthquake Weather" more than Strummer's other post Clash releases, is that it was so Clash-like. Whereas Strummer's other solo efforts with the Mescaleros went off in a new and innovative fashion, Earthquake weather had that rebellious Clash sound. Every song is well crafted, there are no throwaway songs on this album, which I think makes it more consistent than his other three solo efforts. Moreover, many of the songs on this album are right up there with the best of Clash songs, such as "Jewelers and Bums" and the great opening track. Great album by one of the greatest musical icons of all-time.

Anyone that thinks Earthquake Weather is a bad offering from Strummer is trippin and I would question the maturity and coolness of their musical ears. Yeah, maybe it's not a totally polished production like some Britney Spears CD, but come on people that's what gives it depth and makes it atmospheric like the Clash recordings, especially the first Clash record. I absolutely love this album and it is a cherished possession of mine. I listened to it when it first came out back in the 80's and today it sounds just as great, meaningful, and hardhitting as it did then. Strummer as always gives us his "salt of the earth" performance like he did with the Clash. The lyrics are real cool and eclectic while the band forms a tight knit behind Joe's guitar playing. Zander, the lead guitarist lays down some very impressive work and being a guitar player of 20 plus years I know what I am talkin bout. This one has revved up rockers like Gangsterville as well as slower numbers like Island Hopping that will make you want to get on a boat and go sailing in the Bahamas or something. Tons of soul baby! This is the missing link for Clash, Strummer fans, so get it if you can. Expensive isn't it? I'm not selling my copy!

Pete Wyndham

I had heard so much negative things , but after watching the future is unwritten i decided to get it and listen to it and am glad i did...not the clash but worth to listening to again and again

This is an incredibly underrated album despite the validity of much of the criticism. Yeah, the production had a drunk old geezer at the board, and Zander Schloss is said to have been a better actor than a guitar player.

However, the thing about the album is that it holds up much better than the rest of his collection save for perhaps the Walker soundtrack, which might be even more expensive.

"King of the Bayou" (a salute to Cory Aquino) is one of the greatest things Joe Strummer ever wrote.

The lyrics are outstandingly relevant in 2005. The guy was great at stating the shape of things to come by acknowledging them as already existing in the present.

One of the most under appreciated albums ever made. I love this record. Always have and always will. Period. Buy it. You won't be sorry. Joe at his best.

This is Joe's first release since 1985's awful Cut the Crap, he's back with a new band, The Latino Rockabilly War, they had been playing for a couple years togethar before this albums release making a few songs for films such as "Trash City" and "Baby the Trans" though these to songs are great they don't appear on this album.
Track one is Gangsterville, you can kinda see this track as the song between The Clash and Joe's work with the Mescaleros, this track is a real rocker, possbily his best non-clash song?
The album is up there with anything he made with the Mescaleros, it is much harder edged, and Zander Scholoss guitar work is impressive. Its a shame this album didnt get the credit it deserved at the time and did flop. A mistake by the CBS? who knows
best cuts are "Gangsterville", "Ride your Donkey", "King of Bayou" and "Dizzys Goatee"

I used to own this album on vinyl, way back in the eighties. It was a brilliant idea to re- release Earthquake Weather on CD, because it definitely withstood the test of time.
A classic punk- rock song like the opening track "Gangsterville" or a more laid - back one like "Island Hopping", or the funky "Boogie with your Children" they all add to the legacy of The Clash.
A must- have for all old and new Clash fans.