Various Artists - Axis OfJustice

Wed 23rd Mar, 2005 in Music Reviews

Formed by Tom Morello and Serj Tankian, the Axis of Justice is a non-profit organisation set up in the name of peace, human rights and economic justice. To this end, they have organised a great many of benefit concerts and other events throughout the last several years and have now released a recording of one of the concerts they held in collaboration with several of the great musicians of our time.

This may well be the perfect new album for all fans of good old-fashioned rock ‘n roll. The Axis of Justice are a nebulous collaboration involving artists such as Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Serj Tankian from System Of A Down, Soundgarden, Audioslave’s Chris Cornell, Tool maestro, Maynard James Keenan, Brad Wilk from both Audioslave and Rage Against The Machine and many more rock icons from the last couple of decades. Formed in the name of world peace and and is a compilation of originals and covers from throughout rock history which are written on this theme.

Covers of songs by U2, George Clinton, Bob Marley and more lovingly redone in an acoustic/electric set recorded before a live audience with possibly the clearest live recording sound I’ve heard. There are also some excellent original pieces. If it weren’t for the enthusiastic cheering from the audience, you would think it was recorded in the studio (I found myself suspecting a canned audience at several points). The music itself is quite straight-up and would not be all that remarkable were it not for the superior abilities of each musician (who can beat Flea at bass or out-do Cornell or Maynard on vocals?) and the obvious passion – not only for the excellent selection of songs, but the reason behind the compilation – which can be heard in each performance. The artists have fun with this performance and this is also apparent in the general grooviness of each track.

This is an album for anyone who enjoys well-made, traditional guitar rock such as Alice in Chains, Blind Melon or The Black Crowes. With Chris, Serj and Maynard singing both solo and in harmony to classic tracks such as Where The Streets Have No Name and Get Up Stand Up, this release deserved more exposure and promotion that it was given. It was not only made for the best of causes but was made well and by some of the most influential musicians of our time.

Of the original tracks, the most interesting are the free-form jams and improvisations. Serj performs a particularly good piano improvisation and also a song written by himself and Daron Nalakian who also played solo on piano.

It hasn’t really broken any creative boundaries or even brought that much new material to the table but this compilation is a great album and each copy purchased means money donated to the cause of world peace. You can find out more about Axis of Justice here.

Four out of five fists-in-the-air from me.

There is also a DVD available containing excerpts from many other Axis of Justice concerts featuring other artists who have collaborated with Tom and Serj.