The Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

It's kind of amazing how culture has manipulated phrases and words to their own liking. For instance; Whenever you need me, I'll be there. As nice of a thought The Jackson 5 had in this ballad it is impossible. When someone needs you, you don't automatically pop up, ready to go. Yea, it's kind of a confusing thought, but the best english teacher in the world, Mr. Loope (Mr. Norris) taught me to look out for misused phrases. Do you know what awesome means? What is it, then? Wrong. Awesome means to be awe-inspired, which is to have the breath of God move through you. I guess it is possible that some things are truly awesome, but I doubt that it includes about 98% of things that get the label. Just take count of how many times you hear the word in one day. Unique is a biggie, too. In order for something to be unique, it must be one of a kind. The single lone example of a specimen. There are thousands more stretched and manipulated phrases that have completely different meanings than what they are used for.

The Dirty Projector's are unique. I have never heard anyone like them. the storied indie band has been making one-of-a-kind music for a good while, too. The Dirty Projectors is the creative brain-child of Yale drop-out Dave Longstreth. Dave recorded his first album The Graceful Fallen Mango in 2002, exposing the indie world to his spontaneous rhythm spurts and flailing vocals. Longstreth recorded his first album on a four track, contributing the band's artistic approach to lo-fi/hi-fi music production. Before producing the bands newest album, Longstreth recorded with many other various artist, the only one of which I have ever heard of is [[[[VVRSSNN]]]]. (AGH INDIE IXPLOSION)(<- that's a comment from me, not the band name. Dang it vrsn) , released five more albums, including an internet only release, a Don Henley tribute album, a full ten piece orchestral collaboration, and a reinterpretation of Black Flag's album Damaged. I mean, honestly, this guy is grabbing the word obscure by the cajones.

Bitte Orca plays off of many famous indie sounds, while maintaining it's own image. In places the band is a stripped down Minus the Bear; in others, a poor man's Vampire Weekend. The pseudo-hit "Stillness is the Move", is reminiscent of both Arab sitar, and hip-hop back-beats. The band's three female side-kick singers add vocals that would be found on a Rihanna track; very strict foundations with tags and descants galore, giving the song tremendous variety. The song ends entirely different than the beginning would suggest.

There is not a single song anything like "Stillness is the Move" on the album, and probably in the rest of the band's repertoire. They are masters of experimental music. One song will sound grungier than a angst/acne induced garage band, while the next is pretty enough for a wedding. "Remade Horizon" let's the Grizzly Bear in the group pull out and blissfully serenade with precise harmonies and ska guitar. You might be thinking, Man, "Andy's a hypocritical idiot. He talked about how this band is unique by stating who they sound like"(just like that, too) but you've got to hear the music to understand. If anything, Bitte Orca is a testament to the power of experimentation. The Dirty Projectors are making a new thought, a new word. Their music could pave the way for musical sounds to come.

This is a great song too. Listen to it now........NOW!!!