Fool's Gold

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that's the case, Fool's Gold are buttering up, in order: the Congo, Ethiopia, Mali (the Touareg) and Eritrea. This kind of pan-Africanism can't happen in Africa, but it can happen in L.A., where a collective of indie rock artists, African music enthusiasts and an Iraqi-Russian singer have joined the growing gaggle of rock musicians sipping at Africa's well. The twist? Vocalist Luke Top sings primarily in Hebrew. It's not enough, yet, to make something new of the band's various inspirations, but it's a joyful noise nonetheless.