Today’s links share a Cajun theme…

• Big Bayou Bandits: Fille De Houma
  Video clip of the Big Bayou Bandits, a fun Cajun band from Belgium (!) that melds Cajun, bluegrass, and rockabilly. (Found via Mister Anchovy)
• Cajun/Creole Accordion Builders
  A project from the creator of the Cajun Squeezebox Blog — a list of Cajun accordion builders both past and present, with contact information.
• Zydeco Vets Host Grammy Awards 101
  The Memphis chapter of the Recording Academy (including Terrance and Cynthia Simien) is holding a presentation in Vermilionville, LA for artists interested in joining the Academy and participating in the Grammy voting process. The event isn’t limited to Cajun/Zydeco, but I imagine anyone interested in the new Cajun/Zydeco Grammy category will want to attend.

Just a couple weeks ago, They Might Be Giants released their new album The Else bundled with a super special bonus disc called Cast your Pod to the Wind, which contains music previously released only on their podcasts. It’s no doubt They Might Be Giants is one of the hardest working (and prolific) rock bands out there; releasing the equivalent of two albums at the same time is an impressive feat!

I love both of these discs. Yes, I am a long time fan, but every song included is quintessentially They Might Be Giants. From Flansburgh’s energetic power-pop guitar hooks to Linnell’s cleverly written lyrics and meticulously orchestrated geek-rock, both discs are a fabulous collection of musical experiments. I’ve listened to it about 20 times over, and yet I continue to get “Aha!” moments when I catch a lyrical phrase with a double meaning or a clever melodic riff. I can’t help but think “These guys are geniuses!”

Although light on accordion solos, I think any musician would appreciate the vast array of other instruments and effects used to enhance this otherwise straight-forward rock album and bonus disc. It’s a must for dedicated fans, and a great ‘starter’ album for people less familiar with the band.

Buy The Else (with bonus disc!) by They Might Be Giants (Amazon)

They Might Be Giants: No Plan B (MP3 download)