Morello, Riley rage in 'Street Sweeper'

Street Sweeper Social Club, "Street Sweeper Social Club" (Warner Bros./ILG)

Former Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and Boots Riley of hip-hop set The Coup form the perfect marriage on the fiery, politically charged "Street Sweeper Social Club."

For Morello - a Libertyville native and Harvard grad who majored in political science - the disc is in the vein of Rage's anti-capitalism approach and his recent CDs as The Nightwatchman.

The innovative axman - playing both guitar and bass - keeps things simple with his trademark dirty riffs, allowing Riley to maintain a tight flow. And Riley, who with The Coup penned the controversial track "5 Million Ways To Kill a CEO," continues his Marxist takedown of America.

Riley spits hate at the wealthy on "100 Little Curses" ("Off the breaking backs of others is where you got all your bucks") and on "The Squeeze" he closes with repetitious shouts against right wingers: "Cuz they vote with their guns."

The onslaught is relentless but brisk. Other standouts include "Fight! Smash! Win!," the grinding "Nobody Moves Til We Say Go," the lyrically acrobatic "Good Morning, Mrs. Smith," and a swipe at the entertainment industry's glorification of gangsters on "Clap For The Killers."

With endless wars, a corrupt economy and angst throughout politics, the timing couldn't be better for Street Sweeper Social Club.

Check this out: On the stomping "Promenade," Riley turns the idea of the dosey-do on its head and manages the tough task of making you laugh and think at the same time.