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So i just thought it was time to talk about the genius of this band- i missed out on them last year but fell in love when i was leant the album at the start of the year.
The album Gulag Orkestar is simply one of the best records of the last 12 months IMHO- imagine the gypsy style balkan folk music that inspired Neutral milk hotel slowed down into delicate songs and fronted by a a singer who sounds like both Thom York and David Byrne (but in a good way).
The record sounds like i wanted Gogal Bordello to sound like, but don't. Accordions, mandolins, violas and trumpets make up this sound, not surprisingly members of Neutral Milk hotel were involved in the recording of this album. It seems like this is a continuation of the sound they created with the aeroplane over the sea album- although gentler in amny ways.
I got to see them a couple of weeks back at Koko's and was blown away by the simplicity of their sound- totally unlike watching a normal "rock" band - much more like watching a jazz ensemble or a band of buskers that happen to be really really good- no feedback, no rock posturing, just playing delicate tunes and letting them speak for themselves.
The whole album is fantastic- but standout tracks IMHO are 'Postcards from Italy'(heartbreaking trumpet playing), 'Scenic World' (the album version is played on what sounds like a stylophone- but is also on Lon Gisland EP with full band), 'Brandenburg' (a gypsy stomp with more than a touch of David Bryne about it) and the finale 'After the Curtain' (a simply hammered organ with vocals that bursts into another stylophone moment- complete with audience cheers sending shudders down your spine.)
Anyone else listening or see them? |
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