These are dark, austere times. Capitalism is broken. There are riots in the streets but where's the outrage in song? Margaret Thatcher inspired lots of wonderful music but I don't hear anything as inspiring now. Except...

Ry Cooder found his voice a few albums ago and is about to release his masterpiece, Pull Up Some Dust And Sit Down. Listen to this stream.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2011/08/23/ry_cooder_s_pull_up_some_...

It's angry, dark, bitter, despairing and funny. All beautifully played and sung with real feeling. It's brilliant. Kate Mossman's brief review in the magazine didn't do it justice.

It really shows the kids of today how it should be done.