Beirut

[bennyhana22]

I'm slowly becoming rather obsessed with Mr Condon's outfit.

It's a very distinctive sound, but repeated listens bring out just how different the tracks are, how sweet the melodies. The accordion/trumpet sound is addictive and his vocal becomes more and more lovely to listen to - perhaps because pitch-wise it's perfect for me to sing along to (yes, you'll all be pleased about that, those that have ever stood next me at a gig! I guess Explosions in the Sky was a godsend to anyone in my vicinity).

So, what's the board's thoughts on Beirut? And that is one cool on-the-side trumpet he plays in pictures I've seen. My youngest, a cornet-player amongst other instruments, was fascinated and has already asked for a full report on Zach's insrument after the festival. Is it REALLY still 5 months away...?

Ben

[GTG]

So, what's the board's thoughts on Beirut? And that is one cool on-the-side trumpet he plays in pictures I've seen. My youngest, a cornet-player amongst other instruments, was fascinated and has already asked for a full report on Zach's insrument after the festival. Is it REALLY still 5 months away...? :

[RedRockRick]

I have 2 CDs and I have downloaded a live show, so I feel I've given them a good chance, but personally I find their stuff rather dreary cod-Balkan tosh and really can't get on with it. I don't like marmite either.

[shoebox]

I'm a Bovril man myself, but that's a moot point.

Personally, I think Beirut have one GREAT song (Postcards From Italy) and the rest is just a bit "meh". I don't dislike them, but unless there's no-one else on I want to see (highly unlikely) at the time, I won't be bothering to catch their set.

[fogged]

I like Beirut a lot. Not as much as I like Marmite, but that's another matter.

I'm jealous of your range, Ben - he's a bit too high up for me, but I still try to sing along in the privacy of my own home. The tone of voice I can just about get, the range not so much. On a tangent, particularly like the Owen Pallett-sung Cliquot.

[wackojackohighcliffe]

For me it's lovely to let it wash over you when you're relaxed and not fully concentrating. For me, I think you're best off leaving it on in the background than listening intently to it. Would be good if you're in a warm cider coma.

[perfectpassion]

I did listen to the one Beirut cd I own the other day but it didnt do much for me, however I would choose him anyday over Mogwai or that woman who is playing. I'm a bovril person too, but even better than bovril I LOVE cheese spread and brown sauce on toast

[wackojackohighcliffe]

Cheese spread?? Joanna Newsom on toast for me please...

[MattL80]

I neither love nor hate marmite or Beirut.

I believe there is a time and a place for both, seldom simultaneously.

[jol33n]

I've seen and heard of many people who dislike Beirut. I am not one of them. I think that it has to do with the fact that I'm French and accordion does go down well with me, it reminds me a lot of street music and also of Eastern European sounds that are quite popular in French music.

For any of you who are unsure, I would stronly recommend you to watch this video of Beirut performing an inpromptu gig in Paris:

[seadragon]

My mind is being changed left, right and centre with the line up this year as I listen to more and more of the bands I don't know so well...no more so than with Beirut.

When they were announced my reaction was very definietly 'meh' having listened to them in the past but not really takimg to them. But then I listened, and listened again, and now I have to say they're very nearly on my 'must see' list. So many of my favourite bands started off in the same way so I'm sure by Sept they'll be a 'can't miss'.

[bennyhana22]

My mind is being changed left, right and centre with the line up this year as I listen to more and more of the bands I don't know so well...no more so than with Beirut.

When they were announced my reaction was very definietly 'meh' having listened to them in the past but not really takimg to them. But then I listened, and listened again, and now I have to say they're very nearly on my 'must see' list. So many of my favourite bands started off in the same way so I'm sure by Sept they'll be a 'can't miss'.

[geofelgie]

Another bovril-loving, marmite-hating, non-beruit convert here. Do have a sneaky feeling they'll make an album I'll love one day - maybe it's the new one.

I also suspect that I'll like them/him live a lot more than I like the records. Same true of Mogwai - and to a lesser extent Joanna Newsom - I love little bits now and again but I've never come anywhere near as enraptured by an album as I was by her set at Latitude.

So I may give Beirut a go but, like shoebox, there's so much on the bill I really want to see it's hard to believe there wont be somewhere I'd rather be.

Unless that new album really hits the mark!

Edited April 15, 2011 by geofelgie

[Sipperana]

I'm torn on the Beirut thing. I've seen them live and they were very good, but apart from one or two songs it does all tend to blend into one a bit. Nothing wrong with that, as if we're being honest most bands these days have a relatively limited palette(Everything Everything are great but again, it's like listening to the same song ten times over) but it does make me wonder whether my time at EOTR would be better spent checking out something new rather than hearing Zak and co display their prowess on unusual brass instruments again.

[bennyhana22]

From 'The Line of Best Fit website':

Apparently set to mark a dramatic shift away from 2007’s The Flying Club Cup and 2009’s March of the Zapotec EP, Beirut’s first full length record in over four years will be entitled The Rip Tide. Due out on 29 August via Zach Condon’s own label, Pompeii Records the album’s track listing looks a little something like this:

1 – A Candle’s Fire

2 – Santa Fe

3 – East Harlem

4 – Goshen

5 – Payne’s Bay

6 – The Rip Tide

7 – Vagabond

8 – The Peacock

9 – Port of Call

29 August? That doesn't give me very long to do my homework before EOTR...*opens torrenting software*...

Ben

Edited June 11, 2011 by bennyhana22

[seadragon]

From 'The Line of Best Fit website':

Apparently set to mark a dramatic shift away from 2007’s The Flying Club Cup and 2009’s March of the Zapotec EP, Beirut’s first full length record in over four years will be entitled The Rip Tide. Due out on 29 August via Zach Condon’s own label, Pompeii Records the album’s track listing looks a little something like this:

1 – A Candle’s Fire

2 – Santa Fe

3 – East Harlem

4 – Goshen

5 – Payne’s Bay

6 – The Rip Tide

7 – Vagabond

8 – The Peacock

9 – Port of Call

29 August? That doesn't give me very long to do my homework before EOTR...*opens torrenting software*...

Ben

[bennyhana22]

Ben, I think I may be unintentionally stalking you! What with our mutual fascination with Other Lives that we discovered last night...I just read this on Line of Best Fit and then came here and you'd posted it!

[Donny Osmond]

I'm torn on the Beirut thing. I've seen them live and they were very good, but apart from one or two songs it does all tend to blend into one a bit. Nothing wrong with that, as if we're being honest most bands these days have a relatively limited palette(Everything Everything are great but again, it's like listening to the same song ten times over) but it does make me wonder whether my time at EOTR would be better spent checking out something new rather than hearing Zak and co display their prowess on unusual brass instruments again.

[GTG]

Bump