The Nightwatchman
One Man Revolution
Sony

“You don’t gotta be loud, son/To be heavy as shit,” sings Tom Morello on “Maximum Firepower,” proving literally that he doesn’t need a wall of distortion and the power of his electric guitar to pound out powerful tunes. Somewhere between the end of Audioslave and the resurrection of Rage Against The Machine, guitar virtuoso Morello managed to crank out a collection or rebel songs that are stripped down and blister with intensity.

Most of the record is acoustic, but Morello is occasionally accompanied by strings and woodwinds. Comparisons to Springsteen’s “Nebraska” a hard to ignore, but the first thing that really comes to mind is Leonard Cohen with the sadness of Nick Cave. Morello’s baritone isn’t exactly melodic, but these catchy calls for revolution  carry all the fist pumping venom of his electric work. Stand out tracks include the title track, which adds piano and a chorus of guitars for a punk tune dripping with acoustic texture; the rocking “House Gone Up in Flames;” and the anti-war anthem “Battle Hymns,” which recalls Cohen more than any other song on the record.

“One Man Revolution” is an ode to the battle of Los Angeles, a call to arms, and a look into the soul of a musician who has pounded out some of the most original metal shredding licks this side of Kerry King—This is his time to shine.

Doesn’t Rock l Kinda Rocks l Rocks l Really Rocks