World Wide Rebel Songs

The Nightwatchman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 29, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New West Records
• ASIN: B005CA4DZG
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,197 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2011 solo album from the Rage Against The Machine guitarist. This self-produced effort is a change of pace from the usual acoustic offerings of past Nightwatchman albums, with the record featuring a full electric backing band called The Freedom Fighter Orchestra. In describing the record, Morello states, ''Troubled times call out for troubled songs. World Wide Rebel Songs is an album of rousing hopelessness and this time The Nightwatchman has brought along his electric guitar to tip the scales. I wanted to capture a vibe midway between Johnny Cash and Che Guevara, murder ballads and Molotov anthems.''

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music for an Uncertain Time, August 29, 2011

By 

Morris Post "MoPea" (Jacksonville, FL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: World Wide Rebel Songs (MP3 Download)

In a time when we are bombarded by the most vile and childish commercial music I've ever heard, it's refreshing to hear music that doesn't treat you as if you were the lowest common denominator. Everyone is affected by the economic depression and the political dysfunction of our times. WWRS speaks to those themes, while also being entertaining. That can't said of most music today. It's nice to see Tom Morello embracing his status as a modern-day Pete Seeger.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but not the Morello Everyone Knows, September 5, 2011

By 

Dave0312 - See all my reviews

This review is from: World Wide Rebel Songs (Audio CD)

Personally, I am a fan of anything Morello...Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Street Sweeper Social Club. But, as the Nightwatchman, Tom's style vastly differs from his other acts, even from his previous Nightwatchman albums such as One Man Revolution and The Fabled City. This time Morello uses a full electric band to back his act, and the combination sounds amazing. Tracks such as the Fifth Horseman of Apocalypse and Stray Bullets are thought-provoking, well-constructed, and have hauntingly brilliant melodies. An instant favorite is It Begins Tonight - its soul-shredding guitar riffs and solo are reminiscent of Rage and Audioslave. Tom also mixes it up with slower, quieter tracks such as God Help us All, and even shows some country influence in songs like Save the Hammer for the Man, which features Ben Harper.

To put it simply, if you like Tom Morello, buy this album. If you don't really know Tom Morello, preview the album a little, then buy it. Tom's musicianship will continue to grow on you - it is impossible not to appreciate him.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much needed point of view, September 24, 2011

By 

G. Brozeit (Fairlawn, OH, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: World Wide Rebel Songs (Audio CD)

I'm not a big fan of Rage Against the Machine, but I love this album. Morello really expands his audience and hopefully his influence on spreading the word: about honest work, good pay, reasonable benefits, and the importance of unions to help realize those goals for everyone--regardless if you are a member or not. It's a voice that's largely missing in today's political, historical, social, and cultural centers of thought. Having seen Morello on his tour with Wayne Kramer and Tom McIlrath in Cleveland recently, I'd have to say the message was received. Thankfully and willingly. I just hope that Morello's message (along with the support of McIlrath's Rise Against and Kramer) gets the hearing it deserves. And I hope that union leaders will pay attention to Morello and incorporate his work into their messaging. They need it and he can help. Excellent and highly recommended for the message, passion, and talent it encompasses.