Afro Celt What the Hey is this?

Let’s talk about “World Music.”

At the old Virgin Megastores (miss those gigantic, corporate bastards oh so much) somewhere near the back, was a rack or two of music from all over the world, at least a quarter of which were from Peter Gabriel’s Real World label.

“World Music” is not always a bad thing. Sometimes, it’s about people learning about different music, and appreciating other cultures native sounds. Sometimes, it’s about western pop types getting really funky and partnering with non-western types to rock the fuck out.

Sometimes, it’s an aging English rock start making an embarrassing documentary about drumming in Africa. Sometimes, it’s a weapon the more pretentious use against the less pretention to prove their music tastes are superior.

Sometime’s it’s just a mess of what the fuck that your ears can bleed.

Afro-Celtic Sound System, Vol.3 piqued my interest based on the regular airplay of a song featuring  Peter Gabriel, “Falling,” featuring a man falling from the sky, through the Earth, and out the other side. I saw it for cheap at a little CD store in the Pavonia Newport Mall in beautiful Jersey City, right by where I lived for a bit.

I have rarely had such a serious “WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST PAY FOR?” reaction as I’ve had with this. I love Celtic music, I dig most African sounds. Hell, I actually liked a lot of Deep Forest’s stuff.

Don’t judge me.

But this is just such an indulgent, ready to be background music in a 1990’s English chocolate commercial mess, I have no idea what they were thinking, or intending. It must be like being trapped at a weekend long Phish show without being a fan or being stoned off your ass.

The actual CD was thrown back to the winds of fate years ago. I still have it on  MP3 in case I need to hear “Falling” or scare animals and small children.

World music doesn’t automatically suck. But ohmygod, Afro Celt Sound System, Vol, 3, most surely does.

Artist: Afro Celt Sound System

Album: Vol. 3
Year: 2001
Date Listened in Tour: 7/17/08
Rating: *
Best Songs: Falling