There was this band from Montreal named Ought. They were hitting it up in the underground indie scene for a solid ten years. All of a sudden, vocalist Tim Darcy and bass guitarist Ben Stidworthy decides to branch out on good terms and go for a new name with percussionist Evan Cartwright. It didn’t sound like they abandoned their indie/punk identity, but if their new name is Cola it has to mean something. But ok, their name does mean something, it ain’t the fizzy drinks, but it’s an acronym that stands for “Cost of Living Adjustment.” I stumbled onto this album on the greatest website ever in the known cosmos that is Reddit, so I was late boarding this train. So, like the woman with the math equations meme, I was wondering why their third and latest album was their self titled LP. My guess? It’s how the people in these capitalist societies aren’t being taken care of when the suits try to smother and then phase them out slowly. It is a punk thing to do and on the right side of history to jump the fence to be with the side of the people. So, the three members chose this project to be their actual anthem. Listening to this album, I was already content with how it sounded. It’s very old school rock that reminds me of Television and the Clash. Tim Darcy even sounds like Joe Strummer a myriad of times throughout the record. It’s a sound that has aged and made a lot of copycats, but I think Cola did right here by knowing their strengths and commit to strong grooves and an upbeat veneer to Cost of Living‘s dystopia. It’s the kind of instrumentals that make me lost to dancing and lyrics that can be empowering when the world is against you. They touch on subject matters that pertain to people being exploited and the damage that has been done. Subject matters that are a downer sure, but they are backed by these uplifting, sun-drenched, ethereal guitars. It’s a tactic that works. Therefore, I’m glad I finally get to board this train at least.
Even the somber first track displays that groove as the song “Forced Position” directs us to the enemy of our character, which is the mundane and routine. The refrain of “I can see it breaking” line tells us that our narrator might be at their limit as our opener acts as a catalyst. I love “Hedgesitting”, as it is probably the catchiest one of the whole album and the progression to each chorus gets as more emotional the longer it goes on with their distant hazy guitars. It’s a song that has playing in my head for days and I often think on how it reaches nirvana at the end. What I liked about “Fainting Spells” is how cheeky Darcy has been throughout song. He portrays someone who is so detached, but can’t even faint in their empty room, since they have no chaise lounge to fall back on. Colonel! I’m having the vapors! Forgive me for saying I do like the bouncy bass and guitars that sound like they’re farting in “Haveluck Country” that grows into a serene refrain of “vivid luck…vivid luck…”, which does act like an actual dream. The cynic from Darcy bursts into the seams on “Satre-torial” and this song definitely sounds like something that came out of the 70s. We also have “Polished Knives” slowing us down, but it hits us with another infectious refrain.
“Much of a Muchness” reminds me of the early Strokes as Darcy brings out his Julian Casablancas. After “Third Double” being a slow dance, we have “Conflagration Mindset” picking up the pace. The way it sounds is like it traps you in a lost time. It’s beautiful jam. I love how it does a 180 and circles back to the beginning in the end. We get to the penultimate track that is “Favoured Over the Ride” that shows we’re nearing the light at the tunnel with these inspiring keyboard arpeggios. Then “Skywriters Sigh” is our closer while they hit us with a nihilistic nail and hammer that they don’t care about your well being. Touches back on the motif of the album and brings back the rain as its symbolism.
The instrumentals are the strongest point of the album. Because it’s a sound that has been done a lot, then if that falters or becomes derivative, it kind of gets stale in some tracks. “Third Double” is a track that becomes very downtrodden and just drags on for me. Also, even though I understand the songwriting in the “Skywriters Sigh” closes the album. Sonically, I wish that one and “Favoured Over the Ride” swapped track order, as the latter did sound like a glimmer of hope.
Not only will the indie scene would appreciate Cost of Living Adjustment, but I think the old school music fans would be down for this sound. I’m going to have to look back into their discography and their Ought selves. This has been an enjoyable listen with lovely grooves and jams with a cynical, yet noble message. I appreciate the band referring the rain. I appreciate the catchy refrains. I even appreciate Darcy being such a versatile vocalist as you can tell he’s very much influenced of the times. If they chose this third album on their belt to be their self-titled opus, then I’d say this is a great footprint to start tracking them on. The last song says don’t romanticize a better time, but I don’t think they’d protest if you use this album to act as your vessel for that!
FAVORITE TRACKS: FORCED POSITION, HEDGESITTING, HAVELUCK COUNTRY, POLISHED KNIVES, CONFLAGRATION MINDSET, FAVOURED OVER THE RIDE
LEAST FAVORITE: THIRD DOUBLE
You can purchase this album on Bandcamp and their discography is also available for streaming.
https://bandcola.bandcamp.com/album/cost-of-living-adjustment
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