Review: Beirut - Gulag Orkestar (or) postcards from across the atlantic

Posted on 31 October 2006 | No Comments

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Indie Rock, World Music

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First, congratulations to Nate from Bethesda, MD who is the lucky winner of the signed copy of the new Ben Folds album Supersunnyspeedgraphic album. You lucky bastard!

Secondly, if I had a dollar for every time I missed the “next big thing,” I’d be at least a few bucks richer. When all you other bloggers said that Beirut’s album Gulag Orkestar was phenomenal a few months back, you were right. Now for those that don’t already know, Beirut is the creation of 20-year-old Santa Fe native Zach Condon and friends. Beirut creates old-world Eastern European influenced (but totally pop) soundscapes that are brought to life by mandolins, ukuleles, accordions, violins, trumpets, ragged percussion, and (even) some unexpected electronics. It evokes images of Balkan gypsys in medieval times. Images of the rise and fall of the Hapsburg Empire. Images of my grandparents in pre-WWII Germany that I’ve only seen in worn, tattered, and faded photographs that have long since seen better days.

As my wife commented, the music “sounds old.” In this case (however) it is a good thing. The melodies often sound decades (if not centuries) old and despite having a festive flair, the songs are strangely mournful and sorrowful. The largely indecipherable vocals somehow manage to be very personal and (like the music itself) has a huge emotional resonance with me. This is the celebratory music of the downtrodden; of peasants. Its ultimately simple music conveying complex emotions that are totally applicable in these modern times that is (unexpectedly) made by a guy from the Southwest.

Gulag Orkestar is a brilliant album full of marches, near-waltzes, and (gasp!) eclectic indie-pop. Out now on Ba Da Bing Records and highly rec’d by CYSTSFTS.

MP3 | Beirut – Postcards From Italy Gulag Orkestar
MP3 | Beirut – Brandenburg Gulag Orkestar