Tel Aviv, Israel — Friend Who Loves the Internet Almost As Much As I Do (FWLtIAAMAID) has done her best to try to provide me with some solid Israeli rock music sung in Hebrew to teach me the ways of this culture, help me learn Hebrew, and generally smack me with the backside of her hand out of my ignoramus ways. Because of the gift she’s given me of song, I have found at least one tune that I genuinely do like from an Israeli artist. This was not an easy feat, since most of what I’ve heard would charitably be referred to as poop-tastic. But Assaf Amdursky’s music would be something I’d listen to in any language at any time of day wearing any kind of silly hat. He’s really that good.
My favorite song of his and my favorite song in Hebrew (maybe “After BaSdinim” notwithstanding) is “Rakevet Le’Tsafon”, (רכבת לצפון) meaning “Northern Railway.” It’s just so jazzy and funky fresh. When playing this tune in the solace of my bedroom with all the drapes drawn, it’s impossible for me not to jump on my bed and swing my hips to and fro, as if I knew how to dance. Assaf Amdursky is just one funky motherfunker.
“Rakevet Le’Tsafon” makes me look forward to finding more diamonds (har har Jewish joke) like this in the extreme rough that is Israeli rock.
