The Born Again Floozies. “Street Music (13 Rebellions and a Song of Consolation). (Triple R, 2008).

Tap dancing angry young men (and women)

A fairly unique combo, The Floozies utilise tuba and trombone as a bass type section with percussion handled by singer songwriter guitarist Joey Welch and assorted tapdancers. The result is an odd amalgam of vaudeville and old time jazz with Welch’s clipped guitar propelling the whole along. Despite the good time appearance (visually, tap dancing gals, costumed tuba player; sonically, the comical memories of tubas farting and parping, a Freudian instrument surely) the songs deal with an angry, rebellious mood. No to commercialism, no to war, no to poverty. Even the instrumentals are tagged in the liner notes with a message. However there are no po faced “protest songs” here. Despite having a “message” the lyrics are smart, literate, heavy with imagery and symbolism.
“Fly Your Flag” comes across like the Salvation Army marching on Madison avenue to tear it down, “We Got the power (Love Letter from America”)” is an infectiously poppy anthem for disaffected folk everywhere.
I’m not sure if the closing song, “Up The River, Fucker” is the one song of consolation mentioned in the subtitle of the album but it stands out as a departure from the preceding as a wordy ballad comparing the evils of alcohol, tobacco and cocaine. With a subtext regarding the different types of justice one can expect depending on the amount of money one can pay to defend oneself the consolation is difficult to discover.
So, fairly unique and a tantalising prospect if they ever come by your way to see if they can carry this across in a live setting.

Date review added:  Thursday, October 02, 2008
Reviewer:  Paul Kerr
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