The Entroporium

Though they are allegedly embarassed by it, the biggest music in Poland these days is Disco Polo, a weird hybrid of vulgarized folk songs (Wikipedia’s definition, not mine) and the very worst in Eurodisco. An MP3 doesn’t quite get it across; you’ve got to see it for the full effect. Thus, I’m forced into posting [...]

Paraguay is surprisingly absent from the Internet. Hardly any pictures. No music. Wikipedia’s entry on "Music of Paraguay" mentions more reggaeton artists from Puerto Rico than anything native. The first few pages of a Google Images search on its capitol, Asuncion, returns a large proportion of pictures of a local Mormon temple. I am indebted [...]

Random thoughts on a day of defeat: Isn’t it appropriate that I have the US entry following the Saudi entry? We’ll follow those guys anywhere. (rimshot) I’ll be here all the week, don’t forget to tip the waitresses. Rant coming: If people get so upset about American flag-burning, why is it OK to wear Old [...]

As in Iran, female singers are banned in Saudi Arabia, thus knocking out half the fun. I get the sense that fun isn’t a real high priority over there. Abdulmajeed Abdulla – Al Gaid.mp3 Mohamed Abdu – Abaa’d.mp3 I think the Mohamed Abdu track kinda rocks — it takes a while to get going, it’s [...]

Look, I know all you indie kids would rather I posted a softie like Jens Lekman or some kind of retro rock like Soundtrack Of Our Lives or The Caesars or The Hives or somesuch. But I’m going to tell you right now: the best Swedish album I ever heard — and maybe one of [...]

Iran’s President Bans Western Music (AP, December 19, 2005): Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has banned Western music from Iran’s radio and TV stations, reviving one of the harshest cultural decrees from the early days of 1979 Islamic Revolution. Songs such as George Michael’s "Careless Whisper," Eric Clapton’s "Rush" and the Eagles’ "Hotel California" have regularly [...]

Susumu Yokota – Uchu Tanjyo.mp3 Puffy Ami Yumi – Track 2 from “Nice”.mp3 See more of the incredible art of Japan: Hokusai’s 36 Views of Mount Fiji

The Bambi Molesters – Theme From Slaying Beauty.mp3 (featuring Pete Buck and Scott McCaughey) Surf music from Croatia? Sure, why not! Pitchfork gave it a 7.9.

Tunisia was the outskirts of the Roman Empire and its northern coast is dotted with ruins. Color me intrigued. You might know Tunisia best, unfortunately, as Tatooine. Anouar Brahem – C’est Ailleurs.mp3