Ben Writes

Music Review: The Rip Tide - Beirut

Emerging from the American Southwest at a very young age exploding onto the indie music scene, Zach Condon is regarded as something of a prodigy. At only 25 he has carved out a niche as a Balkan Folk Electro pioneer and his band Beirut has been his vehicle for doing so. His most recent work, The Rip Tide, is a marvelous amalgamation of all of those influences into something ear catching.

Hanging out in the far fringes of the Indie music scene, Beirut gained the attention of music snobs and hipsters with their last release Flying Club Cup. Boosted by a video series with Vincent Moon of Le Blogotheque fame, Zach and Beirut became an internet sensation and an “in” band listen to.

The Rip Tide is Beirut and Zach’s first full length release in almost four years, much anticipated and talked about … and they do not disappoint. The Rip Tide is much tighter and pushes Beirut from one release wonders to the future of the Indie scene in the way Conor Oberst once was, one hopes that Zach can keep his wits and focus about him long enough realize such potential.

Undoubtedly, Santa Fe is the most exciting, marketable, and experimental song on the album. It showcases a new electronic feel yet doesn’t forget the traditional elements that Zach and Beirut are known for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYdXi-AseF8&feature=related

If hearing is believing, it only takes a few listens to believe that The Rip Tide is something special. It has the kind of feel to break Beirut into more mainstream channels as a quirky, exciting band in the same manner that bands like the Avett Brothers were able to more recently. Let’s hope this is only the beginning for them.