From a nostalgic local rock release to Irish-Mexican sounds, we review this week’s latest releases.
The Chieftains featuring Ry Cooder: San Patricio (Universal) 
The BBC review of San Patricio includes the immortal line: “If you only buy one Irish-Mexican album this year, the Chieftains and Ry Cooder should do you nicely.” Frankly, I’d never thought of Irish-Mexican as an actual genre, but here it is. The album tells the story of the San Patricio battalion, a group of immigrant Irish soldiers who deserted the United States army in 1846 to fight alongside the Mexicans in the Mexican-American War. It’s a fascinating blend of musical talents and genres and features some inspired collaborations by the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Lila Downs, Van Dyke Parks and the irresistible Los Tigres del Norte. It demands a willing listener, this mariachi-meets-the-Celtic-harp amalgamation, but it’s rewarding. Cooder’s 2005 slice of history-by-music, the excellent Chavez Ravine, was about the destruction of the Mexican-American community in Los Angeles by real-estate development. If you liked that, you’re likely to take to this one. The songs are as emotive and as accomplished in their cultural authenticity as with Chavez Ravine — kinda fun to crank up on introspective summer afternoons when you’re in the mood for a bit of a multicultural hoedown. — Chris Roper
Various artists: Barney Simon’s Radio Revolution (Rebel Records) 
As a teenager I remember making sure my homework was finished in time to listen to the Barney Simon show on Radio 5. It felt like something my friends and I owned, something we would spend our days at school discussing. Thanks to Simon, I was introduced to fantastic bands such as the Smashing Pumpkins, Pavement and Black Sabbath, and seminal local acts such as Battery 9, the Springbok Nude Girls and Nine. By the time nu-metal started to dominate Simon’s show I had moved on, but I still have nostalgia for that period of my life. So to say this double-CD compilation is a little disappointing is an understatement. Sure, there are some classic South African songs, such as Ossewa by Johannes Kerkorrel en die Gereformeerde Blues Band, ZX Dan by the Radio Rats and Hou My Vas, Korporaal by Bernoldus Niemand. There are also major hits by Battery 9, Sugardrive, Lithium and the Springbok Nude Girls, as well as some more recent classics by Buckfever Underground and Kobus. But the past four years are represented solely by the Rhythm Records roster, with Fokofpolisiekar, aKING, Van Coke Kartel, New Holland, Ashtray Electric and Straatligkinders. The selection of these bands leads me to one of two conclusions: either Simon has completely lost touch with underground music in South Africa or this is just another attempt to canonise a bunch of bands that are average at best. After all, Rebel Records is a subsidiary of Rhythm Records. If you are a fan of Bellville Rock City then buy this compilation — just don’t expect it to say much about where local rock stands in 2010. — Lloyd Gedye
Creaturesque: Throw Me the Statue (Sheer Sound) 
Throw me the Statue is the second album from this indie-pop Seattle outfit. It’s important to note that they named their first album Moonbeams. It adds some context to this somewhat confusing album — it’s lovely, but are they wussies? No, they really are just sweet, with lyrics such as “We were having such flagrant fun”. This album makes for gorgeous Saturday morning listening — even better if it’s a sunny day. Fans of the Shins, Band of Horses and Earlimart will enjoy this album. The vocals are unobtrusive and the mid-tempo guitar is comfortable. This album is happy music with a lot of talk about the beach. Don’t listen to it if you don’t have any friends, though — it’ll just bum you out. — Ilham Rawoot