What's up everyone? Time for another prescribed dosage of tunes.

Up first, we have a new song from the latest album of one of my favorites, Russian folk metalists Arkona, fronted by the ever incredible Masha Scream. This song has it all: a crunchy riff, folkish verves, a blistering bagpipe solo, and of course incredible, demonic growls courtesy of Masha. This song fills me with confidence for the newest album, Khram, which I haven't yet had a chance to listen to but which I'm sure will be another solid outing.

Up next we have a delightful and jaunty song from Italy's most famous rocker, Zucchero. This song, "13 Buone Ragioni" (13 Good Reasons) from his latest album, Black Cat, features a danceable beat and a jazzy smattering of brass that when paired with Zucchero's distinctive, muddled tenor creates a song ripe for heavy replay.

It doesn't matter how many times I listen to his music, I'm always in awe of Aesop Rock as a lyricist and MC. This song from the album None Shall Pass is probably one of his most underrated hits. Between Aes's dynamite flow and Blockhead's pleasantly organic beat, "Five Fingers" isn't a song to miss. I particularly love this sequence in the second verse:
"One by one like little confused penguins
Larceny's yes-men ooze for used weapons
Like a bitter little burglar jaded up out the bucket seat
Is dumb enough to feel like the public owe him a fucking thing"

So last night at the Grammys there was a performance of Tiny Dancer between Elton John and Miley Cyrus. It wasn't bad by any means, but it got me thinking about just how good the original is. So here we have it, one of Sir Elton's finest.