[.ca] Flyin' the Flannel

for those about to jam econo, we salute you:
Back when this album appeared, I was so enthusiastic about this band that I read O'er the Town of Pedro in a high school English class as a comparison to T.S Eliot, much to the consternation to my pinched-faced English teacher Mr. Mitchell. It's impossible to look at this, or any fIREHOSE album, alone--although it's a great album. It's important to look at it in the context of the Minutemen and the other fIREHOSE albums to see how Mike Watt dealt with the loss of his closest friend and partner in crime (see History Lesson pt. 2 on Double Nickels on the Dime and Contemplating the Engine Room for some poignancy). I still love this album not only for representing a moment in my life, but for being, in my mind, truly timeless music. This one is right up there with Ragin' Full On, If'n, and Live Totem Pole for the best fIREHOSE albums. I only give it 4 out of 5 stars, because I gotta reserve 5 stars for truly classic albums (like Double Nickels). This is scientist rock: experimental and raw. Mike Watt is a mad scientist on the bass, and his lyrics contain life-altering poetry for certain ears. For me fIREHOSE is a band dedicated to the recovery of a tragic loss, honest and personal, it's about doing what you do, doing it well, driving around in a van to get where you need to be to do it, and selling your own t-shirts to the fans. These guys are what rock (punk or otherwise) is all about.

Great cd from a great band:
fIREHOSE.....The band that while they were around people complained they ruined the minutemen's legacy, and right after they split people forgot even existed.... well theyre still one of my favorites to this day. This cd is good. "up finnegans ladder" has a great chorus. And even though the chorus of "Cant believe" sounds a bit like "My maria" by brooks and dunn, the song rocks. "Flyin the flannel" is an anthem. "anti misogyny maneuver" is a very good fast song. "towin' the line" is certainly one of the funkiest songs in the world. "Oer the town of pedro" rocks too. Overall a good cd. Ed crawford is great here.

• Down with the Bass
• Up Finnegan's Ladder
• Can't Believe
• Walking the Cow
• Flyin' the Flannel
• Epoxy, for Example
• O'er the Town of Pedro
• Too Long
• First Cuss
• Anti-Misogyny Maneuver
• Toolin'
• Song for Dave Alvin
• Tien an Man Dream Again
• Lost Colors
• Towin' the Line
• Losers, Boozers and Heroes