Beirut

"nantes" from the flying club cup (2007)

i first heard about this band/project from a cousin of the lead singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist zach condon, and then from an accordion-enthusiast i know, and i admit, i initially wrote it off as a little too "out there" for my tastes.  it just sounded too gimmicky.  take ordinary indie rock and then throw in some accordion and brass instruments and the hipsters will eat it up, right?  well, after actually giving them an honest listen, i have to say that i am really enjoying it.  the songs are very literary and romantic, but there seems to be something real and honest to them.  condon's voice has a swelling, quick vibrato to it that both fits with the current indie music trends and what i would imagine is part of the eastern european folk music influence.  the instrumentation is very refreshing (no guitars or drum sets to be heard!) and ranges from intimate to raucous.  listen to how this song builds, condon adds overdub after overdub and it works beautifully.