No Hablo Ingles

Music to me is about the music, NOT lyrics. Some will argue this point, but I have never been a person drawn to a song or album because of the lyrics. Growing up in Christian, conservative South Dakota, I was listening to the likes of White Zombie, Alice In Chains and AC/DC having know idea what they were singing about. Not that I couldn't understand English (even though reading my posts, one could wonder), I just didn't pay attention to the lyrics. My Protestant aunt actually pointed out the lyrics "Well sweet little sista's high in hell cheat'n on a halo" (from 'Thunder Kiss '65') and "Jesus Christ, deny your maker, He who tries, will be wasted" (from 'Man In The Box') to my parents who made me throw out those classic albums (an "of age" individual helped me replenish them shortly thereafter for only a small buyers fee). Little did she know, it was the guitar, riffs and music that spoke to me. Am I alone? I think not. That being said, there are some fantastic albums, of late, that have been released with lyrics sung in an entirely different language than in my own native tongue. Hopefully this will get some of you around this little "pleading ignorance" loop hole and into some more brilliant music.

Sigor Ros - "Ágætis Byrjun"

Sigor Ros (roughly translated from Icelandic 'Victory Rose') released this fantastic album in Iceland in 1999 and later in 2001 in the states. Already popular in their native country, Sigor Ros had yet to make the leap to a mainstream US audience. Buzz surrounded this band referring to them as the next Radiohead, only with a more ambient, heavenly sound. Upon the release of "Ágætis Byrjun" (translated "Good Start") that leap was made and well received. Songs from this album have appeared on "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" and "Vanilla Sky" soundtracks. Stand out tracks include "Svefn-g-englar" ("Sleepwalkers"), "Starálfur" ("Staring Elf") and "Olsen Olsen". Even though the entire album is sung in Icelandic, Rolling Stone has ranked "Ágætis Byrjun" the 29th best album of the 2000s.

Dungen - "Ta Det Lugnt"

Dungen, or 'a grove' upon Swedish translation, is a group hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. They have a 60s-era psychedelic vibe and sound very similar to Pink Floyd, Traffic or The Creation. "Ta Det Lugnt" (translated "Take It Easy") was released in 2004 and had some critical praise in the US upon its arrival. The entire album is sung in Swedish, however, with its kaleidoscopic, mind-bending intonation, it hardly matters. Fans of this genre or the above mentioned bands will most definitely dig this group. Dungen has been compared to other more popular North American bands such as Animal Collective and Neutral Milk Hotel. Stand out songs include "Panda", "Festival" and "Du e för fin för mig" ("You're Too Good For Me").

Mike Patton - "Mondo Cane"

The exceptional mind and voice behind Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk, and Fantomas recently released the album "Mondo Cane" (translated from Italian; "World Dog") in 2010. Recited entirely in Italian and backed by a 40-piece orchestra, a choir, and a 15-piece band, "Mondo Cane" has Mike Patton covering a slew of Italian pop songs originally from the 50s and 60s. For fans of Mike Patton, this serves as another great album from someone with as vast a music catalog as the Beatles in quantity, quality and innovation. Mr. Patton's vocal range is second to none in the pop/rock scene and he remains the hardest working man in music today. "Mondo Cane" exhibits Patton's crooning, Sinatra-style tendencies to a tee. Choice tracks include "Il Cielo in Una Stanza", "20 Km Al Giorno" and "Che Notte!"

Rammstein - "Sehnsucht"

Rammstein is an industrial rock band whom took its name from a German town (and US Air Force base in Germany). Already very popular in Germany, Rammstein released "Sehnsucht" (translated from German "Longing") in 1997. The band had statewide success with their first single "Du Hast" (trans. "You Have") and toured in support of Korn and Limp Bizkit. Sung entirely in German, "Sehnsucht" remains a great metal album and will have you throwing up your mano cornuto. Spin tunes "Tier" ("Animal"), "Spiel Mit Mir" ("Play With Me") and "Küss Mich" ("Kiss Me").

Tomahawk - "Anonymous"

Yet another album in Mike Patton's repertoire, Tomahawk is an alternative rock supergroup consisting of Duane Denison (Jesus Lizard), John Stanier (Helmet, Battles) and Patton. Tomahawk's third album, released in 2007, is sung entirely in an undisclosed Native American language/chant, as ancestral American Indian music was used as the basis for the songs. Even the name of the album pays tribute to the uncredited people whom contributed to creating the songs in the 19th century. The band also incorporates traditional Native American instruments including rain sticks, flutes and buckskin drums to give the album an indigenous sound. Tomahawk mixes in more modern instruments and guitars with the result being an unforgetable alternative/experimental rock encounter. Leading beats include "Red Fox", "Sun Dance" and "Ghost Dance".