We live in interesting times, if I may make a grand understatement, andit's only natural that current events find their way into the realms ofart and music. Expressions of disillusionment with the currentpresidential administration, its policies, and the state of globalpolitics in general permeate this disc. It doesn't sound like a"message" record, though, and it's not a call to arms. Hot Shitis a documentation of the personal impressions of Sam Coomes and JanetWeiss, one which I'm sure is shared by many. They are worried aboutgovernment control, unnecessary wars, the erosion of freedom, and theconfusing jumble of fact and fiction that loads the world's newspaperstoday. On the title track, they immediately begin with a question."Wild goose or Holy Grail? / Red Herring or the Great White Whale?" Inessence, what's it all about? It is this sense of confusion that drivesmuch of the feelings behind the album. On "Seven Years Gone," Coomeseven admits about the newspapers that say America supports thepresident and the war on terror: "How much is lies and how much justunwise, I can't say." While Quasi is capable of detailing their concernthrough clever storytelling, their discernment occasionally lapses."White Devil's Dream," co-penned by Coomes and Weiss is the most directattack on the theme, calling out the names of the members of George W.Bush's administration and telling them to "fuck off." It's hardly anuanced critique on their policies and beliefs, but it does convey thefrustrated anger that the pair (and no doubt the others who will warmlyembrace this tirade) feels. Still, it is an unfortunate breach of thesubtlety and craft that Quasi displays on the other tracks. "Master andDog" is an allegory that accuses world leaders (this time, not by name)of taking their people by the leash and forcing them into conflict.Neither side of the political spectrum is spared, as Coomes sings "Theelephant wields the rod / while the donkey throws you a bone / I'drather have a bone than a beating, I suppose / but either way it'sstill just master and dog." The lesser of two evils, indeed. Musically,Quasi is on target. They give off a loose, stompy rock sound thatperfectly suits Coomes vocals and Weiss' backup. It's particularlyupbeat for the subject matter. On "No One," they bring in wistfulstrings to add a poignant flavor to the track. It's a simple piece,hiding from all the world's troubles and seeking comfort and safety inthe warm embrace of a loved one. The sentiment and delivery is trulyaffecting. After the breakdown that is captured in "White Devil'sDream," the album takes a much more positive tone, emphasizing theimportance of individual vigilance and group strength in the face ofthese disheartening times. Hot Shit is a sympathetic record,one that echoes a lot of the more common thoughts people are struck bywhen confronted with the flood of graphic images and muddledinformation. It's a protest, sure, but one that doesn't stem from emptymotivations or sloganeering, instead coming from genuine emotion. Read More
