Does anybody say "That's how I Roll" anymore?

Jesse Cox and the Hooch – That’s How we Roll

A few years ago, when I was in the middle of a long distance relationship and a dead-end job at a bookstore, I decided to go back to college. Looking back on it, it was a stupid idea, and I regret it. I mean, education is a great thing, but not for a guy like me. I suck at learning in a structured environment.

Anyhow, there were a few guys in the class that played music, just like me, so we got along straightaway and started jamming every once in a while. That didn’t really last long because college didn’t last long.

After I quit college, I got out of that long-distance relationship (read: I got dumped) and started another dead-end job at an electronics store, and eventually started my own band. One of the guys I was in the band with knew a guy I went to college with, and these guys knew another guy who would eventually start his own band. (What?)

I’m listening to a debut record by a band called “Jesse Cox and the Hooch”. One of the Hooch is that guy that those other two guys know. (What?) He brought me a copy of the CD one night when I got off work. I was trying to eat a burrito, and I kept looking out the window expecting him to show up and interrupt me.

“That’s How we Roll” is a record that pays homage to the bands it’s members are fans off. I hear a lot of classic rock stuff, like Skynyrd, Tom Petty, The Stones, and other radio staples. The shining point of this band has got to be its namesake, Jesse Cox. It’s a very soulful, whiskey-tinged voice. Which is odd, because according to the liner notes, his favorite drink is rum and coke. I’m not a big rum drinker, but I would imagine copious amounts of any hard liquor will rough your throat up pretty good.

If I could change anything about this band, I’d make them a little more ballsy. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and blame some of the lack of balls on the production of this debut. But a lot of it I think has to do with songwriting. Case in point, Sam Beam of Iron & Wine fame, or Japan’s Guitar Wolf. Balls isn’t about sound quality as much as it’s about attitude. There are a lot of spots on this record that could use some really heavy dirty guitar leads, but are filled in by, well, nothing.

All in all, “That’s How we Roll” is a great little record. When I listen to this record, I picture what I think the band wants me to picture. A bonfire at the beach, a whole lot of booze, and hot chicks in bikinis. And for that picture, Jesse Cox and the Hooch, I thank thee. Especially the bikini part.

harps, bitches

Flotilla – Disaster Poetry

At one point in my life I used to wish I were Rob Gordon. Do you remember him? He was character John Cusack played in High Fidelity. I identified with this character so much that I thought I could do no wrong, and I was justified in my actions because Rob Gordon did the same thing. I worked at a record shop. I was going through a nasty break up. I failed out of college. I called that girl every night for months hoping she would not break up with me until she eventually just did it. But it was ok for me to do that, and to call her and get mad at her, because Rob Gordon did that to Laura.

Enough of that, though. One of the best things about High Fidelity, other than Lisa Bonet, was the soundtrack. There were two bands that I was REALLY introduced to from that record. The Beta Band (Who’s this? The Beta Band. They’re Good! I know) and Stereolab (Rob, phones for you. Take a message. It’s your GIRLFRIEND!)

I bought the Beta Bands “3 EP’s” and I was terribly disappointed. So when it came time to get into Stereolab, I balked. I downloaded “Emperor Tomato Ketchup”. It fucking ruled.

This review has nothing to do with either of these bands. It has to do with a Montreal band called Flotilla. The reason I mention these other two is cause I’m long winded, and Flotilla reminds me of Stereolab. The same sort of awkward melodies, the beautiful high-pitched voice of a French girl. At least, I think Veronica Charnley is French. It doesn’t matter, cause she sounds like Laetitia Sadier, and that rules.

Some more things that rule about Flotilla are as follows:

1. They have a harp.
2. Their bass player Geof is a classical music composer.
3. If you play your cards right, you can get laid while this record is on. It’s very sexy.

It’s a good record. It’s a cute record. The harp is noticeable, but not overbearing like some bands with weird instruments tend to do. It’s tasteful. There’s a pretty good chance if you don’t like this record, you have bad taste in music. Or you’re a metal head. They pretty much mean the same thing though, don’t they?

www.flotilla.ca
http://www.myspace.com/flotillamontreal

this is pretty amazing...

the website itself sux some serious balls, but this kid might be on to something here...

http://www.jz-dc.net/

this would make nascar cooler

Well, Nascar is kinda boring, and here's why. They just keep turning left, and not enough crashes. So, here's what we can do.

Two tracks. Side by side. And every 10 laps, you switch to the other track. 10 laps of turning left, and 10 laps of turning right. This switches it up to keep it interesting, and it increases the chance of crashes.

Fuck I rule.

C-Note Bitches!

I doubt Corey remembers this, but one time he was drunk and told me a story about being in a big city some gangsta's. He was really scared of them until they nick named him. "C-Note". Cause his name is Corey.

Corey has a band now called Percolator and their record is being mixed and mastered right now, and I was asking Kyle Mac (THE BAND!!! MEN!!! HAI!!!) how it was going.


Kyle says:
that album is going to bust everyones balls

joe says:
serious business?

Kyle says:
fuck dude. no kidding. you're going to poop a few logs, let me tell you.

joe says:
sweet. i love pooping.

Kyle says:
it's the best if you're constipated. throw this on, get on the toils. bam! game over!

do you like free music?

i know i sure as fuck do.

zunior.com has a section called "free stuff". there are a couple of samplers, most notably, one by a lable out of fredericton called "forward music group". it has the likes of grand theft bus (i still don't like them), sleepless nights (i like them), share (he has a ukelele) and a few other bands associated with that "scene".

you have to sign up for zunior, but it's pretty painless.

DO IT!

FEE FI FO FUM!

Man Man has a new record out. It's called "Rabbit Habits". You can get it here.

if you've never heard them, you can see them here. they're really good. if i had to describe them it would be "If Tom Waits 'Blood Money' spent more time at the circus."