Word: strummers
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...STRUMMER HAS TRULY been caught with his pants down. Cut the Crap, the latest release from what was once hailed as "the only band that matters," first brings to mind the feeling of disgust encountered as you arise from a long session on the toilet to discover that there remains no toilet paper on the roll and no extra rolls in the bathroom, and consider how you are going to waddle to the superintendent's office without causing a complete disaster...
...instigated the punk movement, started out producing harsh, angry music that was novel, political, and interesting in its time. Of late, however, they have shied away from their origins, using instruments that were once beyond their financial grasp, and possibly profiteering from singing spiritless satire. The gospel according to Strummer is printed on the record sleeve...
Instead of being satisfied with commenting on society, Joe Strummer apparently has decided to advocate action for social change. If he is talking about the band's musical style, he may be right--a retreat to the street sounds of old may be just what they need. Maybe he just feels guilty that he has achieved commercial success beyond the financial and social status of the punk culture in which he got his start. Unfortunately, he has been unable to achieve as much success musically as he has financially...
...record itself is permeated with gross misuse and abuse of synthesizers. The fervent pounding of ex-drummer Topper Headon has been replaced on many tracks by ineptly programmed drum machines. The rhythm tracks as a whole are little more than another inept rehash of mainstream British synth-pop. Even Strummer's sharp-edged guitar which figured so prominently on the band's early works, has lost its character, now grinding like a Husker Du album played into a feather pillow. It is generally accepted that Strummer has no vocal talent, and this record provides precious little evidence to the contrary...
...breakup of the "old" Clash was deemed imminent following the success of the 1982 release Combat Rock, containing the radio/video hit "Rock the Casbah." The band's ensuing tour was riddled with disputes between Strummer and former band member Mick Jones. Aside from commercial problems, the two were faced with differing musical styles. Strummer favored the loud, fast guitar sound that was most evident on earlier Clash releases, while Jones wished to pursue the synth/dub style evident on Sandinista! and Combat Rock. Jones's new band, Big Audio Dynamite, has gone on to do what they intended. Strummer, however, seems...