April 30, 2006

Miles to Ride

Sometimes I’ll hear a song over and over and not know who the artist is. It’s really annoying. This catchy tune had been self-replicating in my brain for weeks when I was informed by Chris that it was actually made by people I hang out with!

Rooty Toot Parkway is an outlet for Robert Gonzales’s superb pop craft. Take it from me: I was in a band with the guy for years and saw it firsthand. The man has mad-stupid songwriting skills that were never properly exploited. Tender, powerful songs such as “Farewell My T-Bird,” “All the Useless Things,” “Sometimes” – it’s like the heart and mind of a warrior poet is trapped in the body of a mexican James Belushi. Robert’s prior bands include Manny & the Casuals, the Stupor Stars and Viva Malpache!.

Alana Smargon was the lead guitarist of the Pinkz as well as other bands that shall remain nameless because I am lazy. Here’s a link to Rooty Toot’s MySpace page, where some 1970s hit is playing instead of an RTP song (nice marketing, guys!).

Their wise-ass band bio reads: “Alana and Robert started a band called Rooty Toot Parkway with the goal of blending the Rhythm and Blues music they heard from across the tracks with the Country and Folk traditions of their upbringings. Although their families have disowned them for playing this “race” music, Root Toot Parkway continues to be the optimal soundtrack to many picnics, makeout sessions and dance socials. Enjoy!” I believe that it’s Robert’s bro Tommy you hear on drums, even though Tommy won’t truly commit to a band that plays music other than good jazz or bad metal.

On to the recording. The bare, garage-y sound gives RTP’s olde schoole rock-pop hooks added charm. Jessica Mirmak says the melody of “Miles to Ride” is the same as the Carpet World jingle. I don’t know and don’t care. For the duration of this musical journey, Robert’s voice is just humble enough to steer us down the center line, then bring the whole thing home and parallel-park it.

Rooty Toot Parkway – “Miles to Ride”

Rick at 12:00 am

2 CommentsÈ

That song is wedged right up my alley. I saved it one morning, promptly forgot where it had come from, then ended up listening to it all night, wondering where the hell it had come from. Such is the life of the forgetfully stupid. I apologize to myself, for myself.

Comment by Balb Kubrox Ñ May 6, 2006 @ 9:12 am
Update—July 28, 2006: Song still wedged.

Comment by Balb Kubrox Ñ July 28, 2006 @ 8:02 pm