Globe Corner Blogs

Here at The Globe Corner Bookstore, we like to think we know a little bit about world music. We know the beat of a Salsa versus that of a Tango, we know the whine of an Irish accordion from that of a Cajun one, we know a Buena Vista Social Club from a BigBadBoogaloo — we also know which one’s best to dance to around the bookcases on a slow night. And let’s just say we are quite familiar with the Putumayo ouvre. Sometimes I even wake up in the morning with a track off “Arabic Groove” running through my head.

If I’m not careful I forget that, in all likelihood, most people my age don’t listen solely to the traditional music native to their homes. I, for example, listen to more than just the OSU Marching Band’s rendition of “Hang on Sloopy.” This month’s issue of the music/film/culture magazine, Paste, features bands from all over the world. Whether they buck tradition or embrace it, they all rock — here’s a few of my favorites:

In my opinion, some of the best on the magazine’s CD sampler:

–The Czech band Miou Miou. The lyrics are in French, which I don’t quite get, but it makes their delicate blended harmonies and featured flute all the cuter.

–The Cat Empire, which I like for their beats, not just for the fact that their name brings to mind a world ruled by little lions. Way to go, Australia — now a reason beyond just the accent to listen to you!

–One band that beautifully melds new beats with traditional sounds is Bajofondo, a group with members from many countries but the sound of Argentina. Despite featuring a concertina and being an instrumental — unheard of (literally) in the pop-music world — the song was smooth and sexy and definitely one to dance to through the store.

–South Africa’s deservedly revered Ladysmith Black Mambazo of Paul Simon’s Graceland-fame makes an appearance. They sound the same, and are therefore still amazing.

–One band covered by the magazine in a feature article hails from Beijing. Apparently Carsick Cars is one of a growing number of Chinese bands leaving the comfort of covering safe songs of foreign bands. Appropriately enough, their song on the magazine’s CD is titled “He Sheng (Rock ‘n’ Roll Hero), and it’s great. Oddly though, it’s sung in English, with something of a B-52s, Fred Schneider-sound to it…and this makes me like them that much more, frankly.

Read more: Current Events, Music, News, World Culture


Llalan specializes in all things Ohio, but has funny stories from all over the US and Canada, plus a few snort-inducing ones from Thailand. And not only does she read books from around the world, she also samples beers in as many languages as possible. Favorite style: the multi-national American Double IPA.

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