Deserving of the Cup?
Condon adds more to an already complex sound.
Beirut
The Flying Club Cup
Released on Nov 30, -0001
Nobody can question the fact that Zach Condon has a vision. The vision mostly consists of beautiful scores and an intricacy for the abnormal that makes my brother ask me such questions as, "when did you start listening to Irish music?" He was making a joke - but he actually brought up a very good point, what kind of music does Beirut actually make? Every song on The Flying Club Cup is roughly based on a city in France; but I've never been to France - so I'll just assume this is all true and that Condon does a great job exemplifying all that France stands for.
The Flying Club Cup seems to be Condon's best work to date - and it's largely due to the fact that he has a set band with him. Gone are the days of Condon recording and overdubbing in his basement with a trumpet and a ukulele; replaced by a production studio with cellos, violins and a brass section that would make an orchestra proud.
Condon doesn't do anything overly exciting or new with his voice, as it's still as soothing and monotone as ever. "Forks and Knives (La Fete)" and "Cliquot" deliver the listener a harmony; which is a welcomed change from Condon's Sunday morning voice.
Back to the question - what type of music does Beirut make? It's worldly and it seems like it belongs in the 1800s, while other times it seems like it should be the score to a really bad video game. It won't really floor you; but I don't see how anyone could be underwhelmed by it, either. Beirut, however, will make you feel really cultured. After all, when was the last time my brother and I had a chance to talk about the Irish and French music scene?High Point
Low Point
Posted by Wes Soltis on Oct 04, 2007 @ 12:00 am