Music review: Beirut – 鈥楪allipoli鈥�
As the new year rolls along, I鈥檝e made a conscious effort to seek out more music to review that is unfamiliar to my traditional listening circle.
An old friend suggested I check out the latest effort from Beirut. They say that variety is the spice of life, so here goes.
I鈥檒l admit Beirut鈥檚 style of indie folk with a strong Balkan influence sounded a bit odd to me at first. But after sampling a handful of songs from the band鈥檚 latest effort, it was clearly evident that this was something special.
鈥淕allipoli鈥� is Beirut鈥檚 fifth full-length album and was inspired by frontman Zach Condon鈥檚 reconnecting with his old Farfisa organ.
According to Beirut鈥檚 website, the early production process of the tracks began in an unconventional manner. Condon describes the origination of the overall tone of the material as a funneling of the music through a variety of broken amplifiers, PA systems and tape machines in an effort to capture every organic sound from the numerous instruments and technical machines used during the sessions.
The end result is an album full of romantic, dreamy, welcoming and nostalgic arrangements extending a soothing controlled chaos of sounds.
The new album showcases Condon鈥檚 comforting crooning as well as instrumental backing provided by ukulele, trumpet, accordion, trombone, bass, drums, guitar, organ and a plethora of keyboards and synthesizers.
鈥淲hen I Die鈥� is a surreal declaration of the inevitable that opens the set with Condon singing, 鈥淲hen I die/I want to travel light.鈥� Loved ones are assured of a smooth transition as Condon continues, 鈥淒on鈥檛 cry/I promise that I鈥檒l get it right/I鈥檝e been practicing my whole life.鈥�
Written and recorded in one day in Italy, the title track serves as an adventurous journey through the hospitality of gentle horns and imagery that conveys moments experienced that will last a lifetime.
Other highlights include the hypnotic beat offered on 鈥淚 Giardini鈥� and the pleasing union between ukulele and accordion featured on 鈥淰arieties of Exile.鈥�
鈥淔in鈥� serves as a dreamy exit for the album with a lush instrumental that could easily have been orchestrated by Brian Wilson for 鈥淧et Sounds.鈥�
My 83-year-old father-in-law and I recently watched the band perform during an airing of 鈥淐BS This Morning.鈥� I was impressed how much he was drawn to Beirut鈥檚 diverse sound, especially the horns. As a result, I鈥檒l be sure to send out a copy of the album for him to enjoy during those cold and dreary days of a Cleveland winter.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.