Firewater

Firewater hasn’t released an album in four years, but that doesn’t mean leader Tod A hasn’t been busy. Reeling from the double-blow of his marriage breaking up and George Bush winning a second election, the singer packed his bags and went globe-trekking, wandering through Thailand, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Indonesia. Along the way he recorded what would become The Golden Hour, produced by Firewater drummer and Balkan Beat Box leader Tamir Muskat. The journey clearly re-energized Firewater creatively; The Golden Hour happily stomps its way through a sonic itinerary through bhangra, ska, klezmer, and gypsy styles, with stops near Tom Waits Town, Poguesville, Clash City and Gogol-Bordello-burg, with Tod A slinging out acerbic scorn and iconoclastic punk philosophy.