WZBC recommends indie rockers Quasi

Sept. 9 saw the release of indie rock duo Quasi's latest LP, Hot Shit.

Who is Quasi? Well, vocalist/guitarist Sam Coomes and drummer Janet Weiss are Quasi. They married each other, divorced each other, and have since put out five well-received albums, making Quasi probably the second best formerly-married rock duo in music, with The White Stripes being first.

Anyways, Hot Shit is their fifth album and thanks to its sharp humor, political edge, and juicy sound, it may well be their best.

Always socially aware, the duo doesn't shy away from expressing their opinions. Much of the album is a reaction to 9/11 and its political fallout. But uh... don't expect much flag waving. Quasi attacks from the far left and they attack hard - if your political leanings are strongly to the right, then Quasi ain't your band. The Iraq War, Church scandal, the submissive media, and the flailing economy all get slammed. Sometimes Quasi is cruelly blunt (their view of the clergy? "Quote the bible, pass the hat"). Sometimes they're juvenile (The attorney general? "Ass-croft"). Sometimes they're vulgar (Our British Ally? "Tony Blair sellout motherf-er, F- you"). But they're almost always bitingly funny.

Thankfully, while they may be opinionated they're never musically overbearing: Hot Shit is about as poppy and upbeat as indie rock gets.

Sam Coomes creates Hot Shit's foundation with his catchy guitar chords and bluesy flair. Bursts of distortion, jazz piano, string arrangements, and harmonica keep the album sounding fresh. And vocally, Coomes shifts from sounding wry to sentimental to exuberant like the best of them. It's a fun, rollicking sound, and it makes for some great tracks, especially "Seven Years Gone" and "Good Time Rock n' Roll."

So go on down to Newbury Comics and pick up some Hot Shit, or better yet, see 'em live. Quasi is playing the Middle East Club in Cambridge this Saturday Sept. 20 at the WZBC 30th Anniversary Concert. Ten bucks gets you in, and the bill also includes Out Hud, Hella, and Tunnel of Love. It's a deal, it's a steal, it's the chance of a lifetime. See ya there.