Infected

Among those who know my musical tastes, it's no secret that I love weird Asian sounds.  Perhaps the pinnacle of this is the (only partly Asian) Dengue Fever.  Mostly a bunch of dudes from L.A., they create a really awesome brand of psychedelic-surf-misc-rock mostly sung in Khmer (Cambodian) by Chhom Nimol, possessor of an otherworldly voice.

I know for some people that not understanding what is being sung about can be an obstacle to enjoyment of a particular music, but for me it can even enhance the sound, especially with a voice like Nimol's - it really just becomes another instrument.
Paola and I got to see them recently at the good ol' Larimer Lounge (photos), and they did not disappoint.  So much fun, such great energy, and hit after hit (these guys really don't have a song I don't like).  Their new album, The Deepest Lake, is one of their strongest efforts in years, and both harkens back to their origins of emulating 60's Cambodian psychedelia, and forges new ground.  Check out the super bizarre video to my current favorite, "No Sudden Moves", below.

O Retorno Do Tinez

I've decided to resuscitate ye 'ol blog, with a slightly new focus.  It'll just be me posting for now, probably mostly about music that's making me happy, but maybe some other stuff about beer and whatever else.  Check it out.  Or don't.

Here's a rocker to bring things back: Brazilian band Cidadão Instigado has a new album out.  It's titled Fortaleza (the city in the northeast from which the hail), and it's got a decidedly harder edge than most of their previous work.  Just take a look at the album cover and you get a sense of what's in store.  The second track, "Dizem Que Sou Louco Por Você", traverses rockabilly, crushing power rock, and introspective terrain all within 5 minutes.  Listen below.  Buy here.