If only these extra tracks could have been included on the American version of
Streetcore,
Joe Strummer and the
Mescaleros' final will and testament. But it's not a tragedy; at least they are available in some form. While "Coma Girl," is a 21st century punk anthem that could have come from
London Calling, the B-Sides are a pair of live tracks and the video for the A-Side.
Strummer takes his love of ska and reggae into hyperdrive on covers of
Jimmy Cliff's signature song, "The Harder They Come," and the rude boy classic "Rudi, A Message To You." These aren't toss-offs, and they aren't junk just thrown on here to cash in. They are both burning renditions of these songs delivered with savage grace: razor-sharp, raucous as hell, and over the top energetically. This is one single not to live without.
–
Thom Jurek, Rovi