Be forewarned: If you like mainstream bubble gum that you hear on your local Top 40’s radio station, you may not appreciate the wonder that is Beirut. I need you to trust me on this one, Beirut is worth a listen.
Beirut is a full-fledged Orkestar (orchestra) consisting of instruments ranging from accordions to cellos, and mandolins to trumpets. The band is headed up by Zach Condon, a 21-year-old from Santa Fe, New Mexico (of all places!) The music on their first album, Gulag Orkestar, is melodic and intensely emotional, carrying with it a feeling of a far off land and a much different culture. This music reminds me of the soundtrack to Everything Is Illuminated, but a review of that awesome movie is for another blog, another day.
My favorite song is “Scenic World” from the Lon Gisland EP (not Long Island) and other noteable tracks include “Mount Worclai (Idle Days),” “After the Curtain,” and “Elephant Gun” all from Gulag Orkestar.
Just a little disclaimer, this video was not produced by Beirut but it is one of their songs, “Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)”. Enjoy!
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