Customer Reviews

Fabled City

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Being a big fan of the first Nightwatchman album, I was pleasantly surprised by this release. Tom Morello adds more instruments and better guitar work, some interesting backing vocals, and further develops his signature brand of in-touch political folk-rock.

Let me say that I've always been a huge fan of Rage Against the Machine, specifically, because of the power of their political message. I was not a huge fan of Audioslave since it was somewhat lacking on this level. But recently, I've been really blown away by both of the new efforts put out by Tom Morello and Zack de la Rocha. Tom Morello especially seems to be at a creative high-point in his career, and this album proves his ability to work with a variety of musical styles.

This album will certainly not appeal to everyone. However, I feel there is more a need than ever to have music that speaks to the conditions people are facing all over the world. High points on the album like "Whatever it takes", "The Lights Are On in Spidertown", "Saint Isabelle", "The Iron Wheel", and "Rise to Power" will hopefully provide fuel to the oppressed and those active in movement work.

Keep 'em coming, Tom! We need more musicians like you!

Far too derivative and depressing to rate higher than 4 stars, Tom Morello's Nightwatchman side-gig releases a second album of politically based folk rock. "The Fabled City" is a richer sounding album than One Man Revolution and maybe even more of a downer. Embittered immigrants (the title track) share space with frustrated soldiers ("The Lights Are On In Spidertown") and doomed workers ("Night Falls") in a series of minor key rumblings.

Each song on "The Fabled City" is delivered in Morello's somewhat tuneless growl or a barked out shout. He is channeling a lot of influences (Springsteen on the title cut, Johnny Cash on "King of Hell," Woody Guthrie/Pete Seeger Union Songs on "Night Falls."), what is missing is any sense of optimism. Even a rabble rouser like Steve Earle knows to throw in one sing-along per CD, and "Saint Isabelle" comes closest here. It doesn't make the songs any less affecting, but it does make "The Fabled City" a tough disc to sit all the way through.

What you do need to wait for, however, is Morello's take on Post-Katrina New Orleans. "Midnight In The City Of Destruction" sounds deeply personal and direct, and hurls this epithet:

"I lost my guitar, my home and my good fortune.
I lost my Grandfather, two neighbors and a friend.
I pray that God himself will come and drown the President
if the levees break again."

"The Fabled City" is a big old lefty diatribe, and if you can live with that, you'll enjoy the darkly intense folk-protests Morello spits out. Just be prepared for the fact that this is one angry fellow folkie and Tom's making it clear that he is not going to go quietly.

Being a fan of Tom Morello's previous work, I checked out his first Nightwatchman solo album, "One Man Revolution", knowing he compared it to old Springsteen and Dylan. With that in mind I initially wasn't a big fan of the album after I heard it, but it didn't take long for it to grow on me, and it's actually one of the albums I listen to the most the last year or so.

So, about a year later, he releases his second solo album, "The Fabled City". I had heard "Whatever It Takes" on his website, and actually got excited about this second album.

I'm not gonna go off and make dramatic claims like "he's matured" or "he can only play one style of music for so long" ... this is a very talented musician who wanted to try something new. On this new album I believe he's learned from his first effort ( which was good, but a bit inconsistant ). On "The Fabled City", there is more of a "band" sound to it. There are songs in the veign of his first album, but they sound more polished and energetic on this album.

Songs to check out if you haven't heard The Nightwatchman or if you just want a sample from this album...

"The Fabled City" -- "folky" sounding, but with more energy and just a better song than a typical track on the first album

"Whatever It Takes" -- one of the better songs on the album, you can hear it on his website

"The Lights Are On In Spidertown" -- very catchy song, with a very cool solo

"Lazerus On Down" -- just a really good song, features Serj Tankian, who sings background vocals ... his vocals are haunting

...these aren't my favorite songs, these are the songs I think will appeal to more people.

If you haven't heard this album, it's different, it's very good, I highly recommend giving it a listen ... at least checking out a couple of songs.

This album is a great follow up the Nightwatchman's first album. Unlike the first album, this one has a more well rounded sound due to a band backing Tom Morello. While at first I was a bit disappointed by the loss of the one man and his guitar approach after a few listens I began to appreciate the new sound. A must buy for any fans of the first album.

wow i normally do not like music like this...i am a big rage against the machine fan so i decided to check this out and he is amazing still...i love his voice on the album...it sounds like tim armstrong's voice put to poltically charged folk songs...this is a great album

I love RATM and I like some folk music but this really doesn't resemble either of the above. Sure, I appreciate the politics, just like with RATM (and a lot of folk music) but the music just isn't there. The songs range from lame to average and I just think that Tom Morello is not a very good singer. Ususally, folk music has one or the other (i.e., good music or good singing), but this has neither.

Very disappoineted.

Not recommended.

I discovered Tom Morello's Nightwatchman persona when I downloaded a duet between him and Bruce Springsteen performing "The Ghost of Tom Joad". On the basis of that, I picked up this album. It was well worth the purchase. This guy knows how to channel his anger over the social injustice in this world into incredible music. Check it out!

I do not listen to Rage Against the Machine. Not because they aren't a good band, but because I rarely listen to the type of intense rock they play. Tom Morello's solo outings are another story. The Fabled City is a really good album with songwriting and singing that I appreciate. Good effort Tom! I hope The Nightwatchman continues with productions like this.

First off let me say I love Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave. What this album is a more mature album from Tom Morello. If you don't like Folk/folk Rock or Blues then this not for you. This album is Morello exploring, I mean seriously you can only do one type of music for so long. I am now a fan of The Nightwatchman and would love to see him in concert.

`The Fabled City' is the second acoustic folk album from Morello and to my mind this is better than his first offering, `One Man Revolution'. There are still plenty of great political songs here, but Morello seems more confident and comfortable on this album and this comes through on every song. Stand out tracks for me are `Whatever it Takes' which has an awesome riff, `Night Falls', `Lazarus on Down' which features Serj Tankian, who sings great backing vocals but who never overpowers the track and `Iron Wheel' which feature Shooter Jennings. Morello's deep throaty vocals compliment the music perfectly and this album offers a great alterative to the heavier music he plays with Rage Against the Machine, but with the same sense of justice and political awareness. I hope Morello keeps his Nightwatchman project running alongside whatever he does with RATM and whilst I eagerly await new music from RATM, I just as eagerly await the next Nightwatchman instalment. This is modern day, protest folk at it's best and worth checking out if you enjoyed his first album. And if his first album left you with a lukewarm reaction then give this a try and you may be pleasantly surprised at his development.

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