Gogol Bordello — Super Taranta!

Gogol Bordello's fourth release, Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike, was the biggest grower of a record I've ever listened to. At first it barely registered, despite its ultra-intense live sound and Eugene Hutz's ridiculously European growl. Then the melodies began trickling into my subconscious, then choruses like "Start wearing purple for me now," and before you knew it, it was one of my favourite records of the year. I still listen to it two years later. But it's nice to have some new gypsy punk in the ol' iPod. Super Taranta! focuses much less on politics, leaving Hutz to muse on unifying theories of the universe, alcohol and — as Gogol are often wont to do — partying. It turns out that Super Taranta! is a very similar listening experience to Gypsy Punks. At first I couldn't hear the choruses at all. Then one after another they all started flooding into my headphones. It's not quite as visceral as its predecessor due to a switch in producers (Steve Albini was a better fit than Victor Von Vugt), but the group's unique sound and sense of humour are still firmly intact. Noah Love