Election Special

Just in time for the 2012 presidential contest, Ry Cooder drops Election Special, the follow-up to the topical and thematic Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down. Like virtually all of his records in the 21st century, Cooder's album is full of folk, blues, and roots songs that are unapologetically political in nature. He plays everything but drums, and wrote or co-wrote the tunes. Rather than use metaphors, Cooder takes direct -- often humorous -- aim at the objects of ire this time out: Super PACS, multi billionaire conservative activist brothers Charles and David Koch, and candidate Mitt Romney -- also a billionaire.