First off, stg reader forksclovetofu aka John has electrified his blog by adding a daily clutch of mp3s. It's glorious, off-kilter, unlikely stuff, mostly drawn from ancient vinyl. All over the map, but totally rewarding: and bolstered with tons of background info and links. The definite, must-grab track is the one by the Jabula Home Defenders. Wonderful! (He's also got a mix-cd contest going on - get in while you can!)

Next, I've reworked by "elsewhere" sidebar, for those of you keeping track. If there's a link that I've neglected and that you think I'd enjoy, I'm all ears.

My newest obssession is Mieskuoro Huutajat. It's a difficult obssession because I only have access to two low quality samples, but the gobsmacking sublimity (sublimeness? sublimitude? uh, really-cool-ness?) of their Star Spangled Banner" rendition is enough to crystallize my fixation. Mieskuoro Huutajat is a Finnish mens' choir who yell national anthems. With full force, enormous vigour, and appropriately peculiar arrangements. Words simply don't do it justice.; this is bellowed fury-love with an absurdist and patriotic bent. And it's Finnish (like moomins). I must get my hands on a copy of one of their records, but the label's online store is being extremely belligerent. If anyone can help, please get in touch!

Oh yes - I'll be going on a Toronto/Ottawa vacation this week, so updates will be sporadic or not-at-all. Apologies.

And then, without further ado, songs.

Värttinä - "Ruskie Neitsyt". I planned to write about this song ages ago. On the bright side, unlike then, now I can link to it so you can hear for yourself. If Tove Jansson and Mieskuoro Huutajat are two of the three best things about Finland, then Värttinä may just be the third. This is their first song from their first album: it's a bruisingly loud, gay, lively folk tune. A children's choir with a message to deliver. Of course, that message is incomprehensible to me because it's in finnish. All I know is that it's got somethng to do with a 'brown-haired maiden.' Infer what you will.

Destroyer - "From Oakland to Warsaw". A track from the soon-to-be-released Destroyer album, Your Blues. There are three more available from Merge, here. I hate to say it, but the whole record (including this song) is afflicted with most-woeful MIDI. It's a departure from Dan Bejar's earlier work - much less guitar, more lush and orchestral (almost Lambchop, really) - but unfortunately instead of hiring musicians, Mr Bejar bought a synthesizer. But the title! New World meets Old! Wow!