Farmer’s Market Surfin’ USSR

• Words: Derek Beres
• Label: Ipecac
• XLR8R Rating: 8/10

While the Gypsy scene in the States has been steadily growing, Europe’s faction has been not-so-quietly exploding over the past decade. Finland’s Farmer’s Market is one such band, who takes Balkan, jazz, and punk and throws in a touch of surf rock for laughs. Indeed this is music to be laughed at, and danced to. Their playing is fierce and phenomenal; it’s no surprise Surfin’ USSR is on Mike Patton’s Ipecac label, given the similar sonic motifs of Mr. Bungle. There aren’t many places to find an accordion being played like a guitar god’s hammer before the sounds of a Bulgarian school dance (with tablas, mind you) arrive unannounced. Strange wares for any market.