EastScene

In a scene currently convoluted by many cookie-cutter, image focused and unexciting bands, it’s refreshing, to say the least, to hear a band that sounds unique. Do you find yourself sometimes over pop-punk bands and the like? Care for something new, something that will sound like nothing you have ever heard before? Something that you can say truly sounds unique and surprises you with it’s originality and lasting value?

Dirty Projectors are one of those bands. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, the band led by Dave Longstreth have released their newest album, Bitte Orca. At 9 tracks and running under 45 minutes, it’s a short and sweet album that never ceases to surprise you. You’d be hard-pressed to find word to describe this album to a friend, or even a genre to stick it in. And that’s just the way Dirty Projectors’ like it.

The opening track “Cannibal Resource” begins with a distorted guitar riff and bass plucking before Longstreth comes in with the opening lyric “Look around at everyone/ Everyone looks alive and waiting” and carries the song into many different experimental elements. The following track “Temecula Sunrise” is a catchy track that still regains it’s experimental influences, with an amazingly captivating chorus that echoes the track name. Coming in at track four is the album’s first single “Stillness Is The Move,” I can tell that this track will be a fan favorite, and I enjoy it quite a bit, although it is not my personal favorite on the album. “Stillness” is the first song on the album that primarily features female vocals, which is yet another refreshing element that the band brings to the table. “After all that we’ve been through/ I know we’ll make it after the wait/ The question, is it true?” is the haunting chorus that bleeds through the track. “Two Doves” follows the track with an acoustic/string assisted melody coupled with female vocals that could easily pass as a dead-ringing cover to a Nico song off of her album “Chelsea Girl”. While combining this simple melody with obvious Dirty Projectors elements, it makes a beautiful song that maintains its experimental roots. “Useful Chamber,” my personal favorite on the album changes from the beautiful chorus by Longstreth and bleeds right into the echoing chant of “Bitte orca/ Orca bitte” over and over coupled with insane guitar picking.

The only comparisons I can think to make with this album are possibly that of Grizzly Bear’s newest “Veckatimest” and purely by the experimental elements Animal Collective’s newest “Merriweather Post Pavilion”. Basically, it’s an album that stands on its own very well and amazes you with it’s musical intricacies and experimentation. If you’re looking for an album that will surprise you with its originality and make you want to listen over and over again, you’re in luck with this fantastic contribution by Dirty Projectors.

-Jeremy Froncek

Overall Rating: 9.3/10

The Dirty Projectors are:
Dave Longstreth (vocals)
Amber Coffman (vocals, guitar)
Angel Deradoorian (vocals, keyboard, samples, guitar, bass)
Brian Mcomber (drums)
Nat Baldwin (bass)
Haley Dekle (vocals)

Standout Tracks: “Stillness Is The Move,” “Useful Chamber,” “Two Doves,”

RIYL: Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, Beards, Hipsters, Good Music

Buy it here, you won’t regret it.