I don't know what it is but I like it! That's the way I felt after first listening to this kooky Lower East Side (by way of Russia, the Ukraine and Ethiopia) band. My friend Leigh gave me a few songs from Multi Kontra Culti Vs. Irony swearing that I'd love it, and I did. And I only wanted more.

I'm super depressed to have missed their recent concert (if anyone is aware of an upcoming NYC date, please let me know), they're one of the few acts I'd just go crazy to see. I suppose a lot of the appeal for me is the appreciation and appropriation of traditional gypsy folk music, a type of music I adore (might I take this time to remind you of my favorite subway musician, Dorel Zamfir).

Gogol Bordello has been very prolific, putting out five albums (aside from this one) since 99, the most recent was just released and is called Super Taranta!, but I have yet to hear it.

Multi Kontra Culti vs. Irony is a dynamo of a record, a freewheeling, individualistic ride of insanity full of accordion and profanity. If we still lived in a world where popular music reflected the most interesting and innovative sounds around, this band would be revered and ultra famous.