Shepizzle

Beirut has released their follow up album to Gulag Orkestar and it is definitely worthy of some buzz. The Flying Club Cup is the second full length ablum released by the band. It was pre-released on iTunes and will be released on October 9th.

The Flying Club Cup shows a quieter, more mellow side of Zach Condon and his orkestar. I had been looking forward to The Flying Club Cup because I was curious to see which direction the band would take with the new album. I dreaded the thoughts that they would produce a more mainstream sound and was maybe a tiny bit nervous that they would swing further in the other direction into some sort of psychadelic Balkan polka or something.

Thankfully, Beirut satisfied me by staying true to their unique sound. The songs are less rowdy and rambunctious than most on Gulag Orkestar, setting a quieter mood for the album. Zach’s distinct voice sounds even more mature, it’s hard to believe that he’s only 21.

Favorite songs include "Forks and Knives (La Fete)", "A Sunday Smile", and "Nantes". Be sure to pick this one up.

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.

• BeirutBand.com

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