T E M P (O)

T E M P (O)

EP: Beirut – Realpeople Holland
words: Jamie Milton

read our review of the first half of the double-EP

Realpeople always had its electronic roots. But it’s also remained strikingly childish. When Zach Condon left school at 16 to pursue this cliché European dream of his, the first musical note he made was on his keyboard.

This second EP feels like it’s been a work in progress for some time. ‘Venice’ at least, has been available to listen to for some time and even in this final mastered version, you still hear noticable differences between that and say, the more up-tempo, modern sounding closer to the EP, ‘No Dice’. What’s been suggested by this double-EP release is that the release in itself has little to be serious about. The first half took much more effort, organisation and commitment but ironically the second half produces the goods.

It’s the sound of a man on his travels, for Condon has been on his travels since 16. Whilst his associated sonic contrastingly lies comfortably next to horns and brass instruments, this smooth, silky pseudonym is a get-away from all the serious business. The instrumental ‘No Dice’ is evidence exactly for that. It’s not a sign that Zach Condon is some troubled genius, it’s just a bit of fun. The only track that clearly sets itself out as something with more intent is ‘The Concubine’, a less electronic, more evolving work that commences with the trademark accordion but closes with a synth. It still sounds like a home recording, something done in privacy and without interruption. But it can be closely knitted together with more quintessential Beirut works, therefore making it the least unusual but most likeable track on the whole EP.

It’s almost as if these works, previously for the man’s own satisfaction, have been thrown in by Condon to throw in a separate sphere to his musical-personality, with the purpose of shifting focus and gaining a bit of space from the dramatic, full-band efforts he’s become so renowned for.

7.8

mp3: Beirut – The Concubine (zshare)
[Buy 'March of the Zapotec']

0 people like this post.

Like 

G R A N D E Z

G R A N D E Z/ /

EP: Beirut – March Of The Zapotec
words: Jamie Milton
Just for the record, in case you went straight to reading this thinking we’d be reviewing both EP’s at once, that’s not the case. Here we’re solely looking at the first half of the double EP release.
—————————————–

An instant comparison: with ‘The Flying Club Cup’ we were slowly drawn in with ‘A Call To Arms’, an easeful, perhaps purposeless 20-second opener. ‘El Zócalo’ sort of performs the same job only this time we’re welcomed by a fade in, which suggests that we’re interrupting things. Furthermore, it suggests that Zach Condon and his latest recruits had been getting carried away with themselves and someone finally decided to press record. Of course that’s probably not what happened but it’s an authentic enough half a minute to lure you into the cultured world of Beirut.

“So long, my fate has changed” declares Condon during ‘The Akara’, speaking on behalf of an unidentified ‘mistress’. But ultimately these words could be coming from the deep waters in the head of the man himself. Being to some extent presumptious, ‘Beirut’ as a project has been much more vulnerable since the release of the act’s second album. Condon, frustratingly revealed the difficulties in managing a huge band and taking them on tour with him. But hang on, here he returns with 19 brass-equipped men from Mexico, all swimmingly following Condon’s lead. Somewhere along this seemingly tricky journey, Condon found the situation of recording music on such a large scale, addictive.

‘March of the Zapotec’ feels more like a warming up than anything. ‘La Llorona’ can suddenly kick off into a bold frenzy all it wants, ‘The Shrew’ can sound as dainty and as jolly as it pleases, the eventual feeling you get is that surely, there’s more the man can give. What can you expect but more from a man so young, so committed to creating fine music with such consistently impressive final results?

6.5

mp3: Beirut – The Shrew (zshare)
[Buy 'March Of The Zapotec']

0 people like this post.

Like