Although not marketing geniuses with a right before Christmas release date, Southern rock outfit Flint have goals to become a national success story. Currently, best known for egotistical behavior and their controversial off-stage antics, Flint is a local myth-making band that brings to mind the label of sonic terrorism pinned on college rock bands like Slade or Blur. Juwan Pilgrim, the most talented member of the group, handles the bulk of traditional instruments on the record as well as co-producing duties and does it with a business-like efficiency. Flint is fronted by Cody Jackson, known more in the Tri-State area as a pretentious 'swinger/songwriter' than for any perceived singing accomplishment. Rock critics of White Trash Folklore will dog Jackson; as the entertaining and charismatic stage presence that he relies on so heavily in concert does not necessarily translate to recorded greatness.
Capable backing on the album comes from recent additions to Flint. Doug Cherokee returns to the keyboards on a few tracks after a nearly year long absence from the band he helped form. Former Throwing Plums bassist Lance Overmars joins the cast after meshing well with the band during the past summer's H.U.M.P. Festival and security specialist Pierre Young took some time to learn to play whatever scraps are left to play.
Co-produced by P.J. Fondue, White Trash Folklore shows little signs of the newsmaking tension that ensued in the album's recording and that some blame for Fondue's readmission into a drug rehab center after nearly four years of clean living. It is an album that likely won't produce a radio-friendly single but eventually may be destined to achieve cult classic status. All that needs to be said is if you are looking for something different to give as a gift for Christmas, Hannukah or Ramadan, White Trash Folklore just might be it.