Album review: Tom Morello (The Nightwatchman) / Worldwide Rebel Songs

Tom Morello has lost nothing of his Rage Against the Machine agit-pop credentials if Worldwide Rebel Songs is anything to go by. From opening track “Black Spartacus” where Morello takes a swipe at everyone from royalty to dope-running CIA agents it is clear where his allegiances lie. But whereas earlier Nightwatchman releases have been acoustic offerings, on Rebel Songs Morello employs a band and occasionally unleashes his trademark guitar ala his Audioslave period. And while fellow-traveller Ben Harper co-wrote and guests on “Save The Hammer For The Man”, with Morello’s world-weary baritone to the fore Rebel Songs has more of a Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros feel about it. No bad thing that.