Well, I figured we went long enough without a topic like this, so I took the liberty of making one.

So yeah, I think this album is pretty great, one of the best of the year. It usually bothers me when bands make albums that are more or less identical to each other, but in this case, considering no one else around sounds quite like Beirut anyway, I don't mind. Besides, most bands don't put as much passion into their work as Zach Condon does.

The only thing that really bothers me about this album is how short it is. Then again, I can't complain since pretty much every song on the album is great.

Discuss...now.

My order hasn't come in yet, but I'm really excited about it. I've been avoiding the Take Away Show videos because I want to hear the album first, but I'm also really excited about watching all of those too.

Those are really cool, especially the one of Nantes.

I've heard it a few times now on a stream and it is definitely growing on me. I think the first half is maybe stronger but the more I hear it, the more I like it.

I also think that it differs from his first album a bit as well. There is a different sound on this one, as a lot of the songs follow the general style and feel he goes for.

It is an intriguing listen though and I do like it.

Buy this one! Reward innovation and creativity! I can't speak for everyone, but I think I'll be listening to this album years from now.

Love this album. I honestly think it's a definite step away and a progression from Gulag Orkestar. He's not drenching every track in horns now, and the melodies are better and have room to breathe. Also, I think (unlike many albums this year) the second half is better than the first! Very, very good stuff.

I have to second that the second half of this one is much better than the first half. I've been listening to "The Penalty," "In the Masoleum," and "Forks and Knives" the most.

Does anyone know what "In the Masoleum" is about, by the way?

Am going to get my copy tomorrow. Been too busy lately to buy one. Am really looking forward to it, as The Gulag Orkestar was my number 1 CD last year.

I like Gulag Orkestar more but the Flying Cub Cup is still a good album.

I think it's a very easy-going album with 'Nantes' as best song on the album.

I finally took out In Rainbows long enough to listen to this, and I have really enjoyed it. It's early yet, but so far I like it even better than Gulag Orkestar. And thankfully, the lyrics are more understandable this time around.

I don't normally care too much about the album artwork, but if you're into it, definitely buy the hard copy - I love the old photographs in the booklet. Between this and PJ Harvey's White Chalk, which I ordered at the same time, I feel like I'm listening to music from some time long ago instead of something current. It's slightly old fashioned, and I mean that as a compliment, in this case.

I'm listening to "Nantes" right now, actually...and it's great. This album is definitely a worthy follow-up to Gulag Orkestar and takes Beirut's same old-fashioned aesthetics to new and different places. I really like it.

Those Take Away Show videos of each song on the album really enhance the experience for me. I have been listening to the album since whenever it was released on iTunes (like two months ago maybe?), but after seeing the videos, I really think each song is strong and stands up on its own. See them here:

http://flyingclubcup.com/spip.php?rubrique1

I've been listening to this over the last couple of days. I really enjoy it, and I agree it is a worthy successor to Gulag Orkestar. Nothing on the album is as strong as "Postcards From Italy" but I think this album flows a bit better. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but doesn't the beginning of "In the Mausoleum" sound a lot like "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!"?

np: "Un Dernier Verre (Pour La Route)"

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
I've been listening to this over the last couple of days. I really enjoy it, and I agree it is a worthy successor to Gulag Orkestar. Nothing on the album is as strong as "Postcards From Italy" but I think this album flows a bit better. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but doesn't the beginning of "In the Mausoleum" sound a lot like "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!"?

np: "Un Dernier Verre (Pour La Route)"

I agree with you that it is a pretty good album but I think you have been reading the devil's website too much. They also mentioned the "Illinoise-like" piano at the beginning of "In the Mausoleum."

Honestly, the only time I read anything p4k has to offer is when someone links me to something there. I'm not a p4k hater, but I just would rather get my recommendations from somewhere else.

quote:

Originally posted by Merciless Jack the Rippah!:
Not that there's anything wrong with it, but doesn't the beginning of "In the Mausoleum" sound a lot like "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!"?

I thought both those songs sounded a bit like the Vince Guaraldi piano piece for Peanuts/Charlie Brown thing.

I had the same feeling about "In the Mausoleum". It's not an exact copy, just the same feeling and style.

I finally found a copy of this album a few days ago. I enjoyed it, I listened to it through a few times in the car, I took it inside to rip to my computer, and I completely forgot about it until just now. Maybe that's a bad sign?

quote:

Originally posted by Shadrach:
I had the same feeling about "In the Mausoleum". It's not an exact copy, just the same feeling and style.

I finally found a copy of this album a few days ago. I enjoyed it, I listened to it through a few times in the car, I took it inside to rip to my computer, and I completely forgot about it until just now. Maybe that's a bad sign?

Give it a good chance to settle in. It gets addictive once you can wrap your head around it front to back.

I know that blega will be unhappy to hear this but I am listening to this album more and more and the more I hear it, the more I like it. It is better and more consistent (in terms of quality) than his debut. And they made this album in Albuquerque (where Zach Condon is also from)—which is like a four hour drive from here—so that’s cool. It’s inching its way into my top ten and practically every song on it, is great.

I do have one, small complaint though. Although I do realize that this is more of a collective band/group than just Condon—though he is the leader—I really don’t like Owen Pallett’s vocals on “Cliquot.” Now, I do realize that Pallett has a lot to do with making the music; he plays a lot of the instruments, arranges the strings and also writes a big chunk of the music but I feel like his vocals kill that song. Condon has such a great voice, so I would prefer him to sing all of the songs. Again, this is just a minor complaint but so far (and I have heard this so many times) that is the only thing I dislike about this very stellar album.