Beirut - Gulag Orkestar
Eastern European music isn’t exactly what gets me up in the morning most days. Most days it’s some form of sports talk radio, music, or yelling at traffic on my way to work for the infuriating manner in which someone always inexplicably manages to drive 10mph slower then traffic right when I need to change lanes. Usually there isn’t much music that could be my soundtrack then. Coming home though — that’s a different story. A slower pace, less traffic, and my desire to simply unwind makes this 19 year-old Zach Gordon debut release that much more appealing.
Frankly stated, this debut release is good. Very good. Great? Not quite. The vocals tend to muddy throughout the disc, mumbling and crooning through portions leaving you wondering what in the hell he just said. This shortcoming is married with the incoherent theme of the album, while sounding like the Kiev orchestra - circa 19th century - you’re thrown songs which reminisces more about the Eastern block then Moscow. Still despite these small bumps in the road, Gulag Orkestar stands out as one of the better releases of the year with it’s musical ensemble (produced mainly by Gordon) and soulful vocals.
Personal favorites include the track title ("The Gulag Orkestar"), “Rhineland (Heartland)”, “Bratislava” and “After The Curtain.”
Gulag Orkestar released on Ba Da Bing! Records on May 9, 2006.
Rating: 87%
Website
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Reviews: Pitchfork and “Stereogum
This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 11:03am. It has been filed under Media, Music, News, Reviews, Writers, Joshua.
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