Get Off The Cross… We Need The Wood For The Fire - Firewater (1996)

Ideated from: the digital crate digging of pre-Napster MP3 sharing.

Tod A.’s first outfit, Cop Shoot Cop, was a punky, noisy, confrontational experimental band. After they were done, Tod started a new band with the same punk edge, but with some of the influence of Klezmer and Romany music rather than just NYC no-wave punk.

The weird thing is, it’s every bit as sharp and nihilistic as Cop Shoot Cop, but it sounds more organic and tuneful. There’s a lot of menace here, but I think that’s an unavoidable part of his vocal style. He could sing Sinatra songs and sound menacing. The band also takes time to lean in to some of the prettier colors of European folk music, but the vocals and guitar-bass-drum framework that underlays most of it is always there to remind you that this is an angry record.

Tracks I Liked

Bourbon and Division - a fantastic tune with a great arrangement

When I Burn This Place Down - Worst. Wedding tango. Ever.

Snake-eyes and Boxcars - A sea shanty that wants to kick your ass.

One Of Those - a more conventional rock tune, and a banger