CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS

Lobby => Music and Recordings => Topic started by: rhythmdevils on December 09, 2011, 05:27:57 PM

Title: new Beirut album - The Rip Tide
Post by: rhythmdevils on December 09, 2011, 05:27:57 PM
Was just listening to this the last couple days and think it's really good.  Seems a little more accessible than their first two albums though with a similar sound.  I might describe it as the style of their first two albums mixed with a bit of Condon's electric computer pop songs.  A bit more pop and jingle but not overly so.  His jingles are awesome anyways. 

Sound quality is better than the first two albums I think.  I guess I could say that the whole thing is a bit more polished which I wouldn't say is better, but just different. 

Any of you have this? 

Link to title track on youtube (http://youtu.be/wNXJ_vT5sbY?hd=1)

(http://shareimage.ro/images/wvcsvwd70s2u6r4s3aj.jpg)
Title: Re: new Beirut album - The Rip Tide
Post by: Questhate on December 12, 2011, 05:45:39 PM
Yes! This is easily one of my favorite albums from the past year. I think the way you described it as more "polished" hits the nail on the head -- especially in Condon's songwriting. His songwriting has gone up another level, and it seems like he's focused on writing complete songs, rather than just showing off his worldly influences (which is a feeling I get at times with his previous albums). It's definitely more accessible (or, universal), yet very much the same flavor.

I saw them live for the first time in Oakland a couple of months ago and they KILLED it. They came back out for two encores, the second of which included a jam session that featured both a tuba and accordion solo....
Title: Re: new Beirut album - The Rip Tide
Post by: rhythmdevils on December 13, 2011, 09:05:28 AM
Yeah I was pretty well blown away when I saw them in SF 4 years ago or so.  I was impressed by their musicianship, they sounded just as good if not better without any studio tricks. 

I agree that the songwriting is more focused, but there is also something about their earlier albums that I like- they're more raw maybe.  They sounded more live where this sounds more studio?