Monday, December 21, 2009

PQ's Top 10 Songs of the 2000s: No. 3

Gogol Bordello, a gypsy punk band, win my 'band of the decade' award for producing three incredibly strong albums as well as a stack of side-projects all of high quality (though I tend to squirm when I think of their stint as Madonna's backing band).

Based in the US, the band is made-up predominantly by eastern European immigrants, most notably the lead singer and chief songwriter, Eugene Hutz (of Romani extraction... his family went on the mover after Chernobyl) who you may know from his brilliant acting performance in the film 'Everything Is Illuminated'.

The music is very high energy, incredibly theatrical (as you can tell from the live clip below) and perfectly irreverent. I get a bit bored with all this introspecdtive rock music. These guys just have a lot of fun, even when they are spouting political messages.

Though most well-known for their 'hit' Start Wearing Purple , the song I have at No. 3 is called '60 Revolutions' . I reckon I've played this song and jumped around the house about 400 times in the past few years. It's infectious, and the arrangement is awesome. The last half, when the go-go girls jump in and he changes languages is some of the best folk punk ever made.

It's loud and brash, but I hope you can watch both clips below (the first being the a live version showing the band at their theatrical best, the other being a bizarre fan video with the original recording. I couldn't find a You Tube version with decent sound, so if you're going to buy one song in I-tunes today, please buy this one and hear it in hi-fi).

60 revolutions per minute
this is my regular speed
So how do you want me to live with it?
How do you want me to live with it?
Without ringing all alarms!
Without overthrowing czars!
Without emptying the bars!
Without screwing with your charts!

I'm gathering new generation
That's gonna stand up to it
To this karaoke dictatorship
Where posers and models with guitars
Boogie to the shit for beats
I make a better rock revolution
Alone with my dick!




18 comments:

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

There's just not enough gypsy punk music in the world.

patchouligirl said...

I always wondered what happenned to Joe Dolce - it looks like he discovered speed.

Its funny though how there are people who are super hyped and operate at double speed the whole time. We've got a friend like that, his wife is pretty quiet, I guess he just wears her out.

Perseus said...

Ugh!

That's like saying Miss Helena from Romper Room grew up to become Patti Smith.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

You mean she didn't!?

Mr E said...
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Mr E said...

Pers,

It's clear that you've never been in the Mosh Pit at a Joe Dolce concert.

His raw energy and stage presence is something that you have to experience to understand.

The chests of people at the Altona Working Mens Club still swell with pride when they say "I was there, I saw him live!".

He single handedly changed the face of Australian Rock & Roll.

Show some Respect.

Puss In Boots said...

I got to 1.18 and turned it off. Sorry Pers. I suspect his performance has something to do with his ridiculously tight pants.

He reminds me of one of the characters from that car racing cartoon that featured Mutley.

Perseus said...

But 30 seconds later comes the hot go-go dancers. And a midget!

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

I'm so sorry, but I was off watching some lesbian porn featuring a young Claudia Karavan.

Have I missed anything?

catlick said...

Did someone say "lesbian pr0n?"

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Yes indeed, Catlick.

It's all very tasteful and refined but at least you see Claudia getting a sponge bath from the blonde chick whose name I can't recall.

RandomGit said...

This one I'm dropping in the novelty bin. I just can't take an accordion seriously. Great sentiment though. There needs to be more comparisons to urine in music.

Mad Cat Lady said...

i adore the fan clip to a ridiculous extent - one of my cats was trying to catch the dogs tail on screen - i can picture myself doing a very bad job of the housework with this playing - very excellent - thank you for sharing.

Dr. Golf said...
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Dr. Golf said...

"Rroma" if you dont mind.

The term "Gypsy" was coined by Europeans in the 14th century who mistook the new arrivals from Northern India, for Egyptians.

The guy who first came up with the name was beaten with a golf club and relieved of his campervan.

catlick said...

you see Claudia getting a sponge bath from the blonde chick

Giggiddy!

Lewd Bob said...

Love Gogol Bordello. Love the song Supertheory of Supereverything.

Melba said...

I didn't want to miss a second of the first film clip. I wouldn't be able to help dancing to this and smiling.

This is one I'll take from the list and look up. This is the sort of music I really like. Too much fun.

Thanks.