|
 |
Axis Of JusticeConcert Series Vol 1 Serjical Strike/Columbia/Sony An all-star cast featuring members of System Of A Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Audioslave, Tool/A Perfect Circle, Jurassic 5 and Pete Yorn; clearly Axis Of Justice are firm believers that music and politics do mix. Whatever your thoughts on the matter, this is a weighty line-up of some of the biggest names in music and will certainly turn heads on the basis of the artists alone. Musically though, it has some lofty expectations to live up to, and it doesn't really meet them. Where The Streets Have No Name is an odd choice for the opening all-star jam, despite the calibre of performers. System Of A Down's Serj Tankian - one of modern music's most recognisable and charismatic voices - sounds uncharacteristically flat on lead vocals. Chris Cornell and Maynard James Keenan work together beautifully on (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding, keeping it dignified and restrained and never overpowering their acoustic backing. Audioslave (and ex-Rage Against The Machine's) Tom Morello makes his singing debut with The Nightwatchmen, and seems completely at ease in the spotlight. His Johnny Cash-styled baritone in Until The End is unexpected, but serves the material perfectly, while Union Song gives him the opportunity to spit some bile over a folksy backing. Jams on standards such as Get Up, Stand Up and Chimes Of Freedom are little more than perfunctory, and if you close your eyes Alice In My Fantasies could be Morello's former band. What began as a loose collection of musicians wanting to support striking LA grocery store workers has now blossomed into an ongoing concern fighting for 'social justice.' You can visit www.axisofjustice.org for in-depth information, but for now this live recording will be the first point of contact for many people. Lacking in cohesion, and ultimately not as satisfying as the names involved suggest, 'Concert Series Vol 1' is more curio than great musical statement at this stage. But it's real value will be as a device to get people thinking in this politically apathetic age, which is no bad thing.  |
|
The latest issue available now!     |
All content copyright dB Magazine