'visas in my name'

A Fourth of July-themed Friday Random Ten! It seemed to me that a country borne of rebellion ought to be celebrated with some resistance and rallying cries. So each of these, in its own way, is a little manifesto for the United States. Enjoy!

1. Cat Power, "Free"
2. Caetano Veloso, "Soy Loco Por Ti, América"
3. Mirah, "Monument"
4. Spoon, "the Underdog"
5. the Thermals, "God and Country"
6. Public Enemy, "Party for Your Right to Fight"
7. New Bad Things, "Robin Hood"
8. David Byrne, "Empire"
9. MIA, "Paper Planes"
10. Jonathan Richman, "Parties in the U.S.A."

Also, for those of you looking for a good light cocktail for the fourth, allow me to present my variation on the SBT: muddle three strawberries and six basil leaves. Add the juice of half a lime, a half ounce of simple syrup, and an ounce and a half of gin (Tanqueray Rangpur is lovely here). Then add ice cubes and top it all off with some tonic. It is delightful.

Happy long weekend, everybody!