The listening experience of Tom Morello’s debut solo LP The Atlas Underground is similar to channel surfing through FM radio to find a style you like. It also sounds like the former Rage Against the Machine guitarist took some unused guitar riffs and asked some EDM and hip hop artists to create a remix album for clubs. That would be unfair to assume, however,
as this record clearly is Morello’s baby and the first under his own name.
Morello worked with a huge variety of writers and musicians across the 12 songs, including the likes of Bassnectar, Portugal. The Man, Vic Mensa and Gary Clark Jr. The clashing genres do not always hold together well musically, but sometimes the results are better than some may expect.
Opening track ‘Battle Sirens’, featuring Australia’s own drum and bass duo Knife Party, is a great example of this. A typical alternative rock opening is tossed aside for a thrilling electronic drop, with all the elements meeting each other later in the track. ‘How Long’ is the most surprising success, featuring EDM musician Steve Aoki alongside the hardcore screams of Tim McIIrath from Rise Against.
By Stefan Bradley
