Geoff Berner — Klezmer Mongrels

The difference between American and Canadian multiculturalism has sometimes been described as the difference between a melting pot and a salad. In the U.S., the different elements go into the pot to make one fairly uniform culture. In Canada, those elements retain their identities but come together to form one big mish-mash of a bit of everything. Klezmer Mongrels embodies the Canadian ideal in a lot of ways. It's intended as a shot in favour of "the fun forces of mixed-up, messed-up diversity," and it's a raucous and joyous klezmer/pop/punk/folk celebration of misfits, mongrels, the occasional illicit substance and everything in between. It doesn't always work. Things sometimes get a little sloppy and melody occasionally seems to be sacrificed for the sake of the lyrics. But much like it is with the salad, the occasional imperfection is a small price to pay for a glorious mess.