The Inspector Cluzo - Gasconha Rocks

"At that time I engaged in my sworn duty as an officer of the law." I love that scene.You gotta love those plucky DIY duos like One-Eyed Doll where virtually every aspect of the band's product is done by its members, as it is with energetic French rockers, The Inspector Cluzo.

This is classic grassroots rock and roll; raucous, hungry, energetic, unapologetic - and, ultimately, fun as hell. It's rather interesting to hear these cats pound out raw jams without a bass player in sight (though with the occasional co-hort) on the album. But what I really dig is the funk edge that tunes like Lo Camin de la Hesta display, complete with horn section. Especially where the aforementioned song is followed up with the dirty slide work of The Duck Guit Blues. I'm telling you, this is a band that knows what moves your feet and they seem to be having an utter blast the whole time, which is totally infectious - I mean Better Off In Afghanistan has a fucking mouth harp playing in it! Genius.

The Bottom Line: Down and dirty rock and roll, with a little funk edge, is alive and kicking in France of all places. DIYers The Inspector Cluzo know how to rock a joint with a genuine esprit de corps. It's that kind of energy and love of music that keeps the genre evergreen. Vive l'esprit de l'homme ordinaire!

- Genghis kinda wishes he could've seen these cats play SXSW...