Secondly, yes I know a lot of people already know & love them, but for those of you who don't:
it's a Band. And it's fucking awesome!
1. Postcards from Italy
SACeee1: I both cry and smile to this song.
Indeed, this song is kinda bittersweet. Still, when the trumpet starts at 2:02 I immediately have a big grin on my face. I strongly recommend you watch one of the countless awesome live performances too!
+ Show Spoiler +
So, now that you know why Beirut is >>>>>> most other bands I'll add some infos from wikipedia mostly:
Beirut is the band of singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Zach Condon:
Yes, he seems to be a lazy motherfucker. But talented, no doubt about it:
pear4112: He. Is. Beautiful. In so many ways.
Oh yes he is..
The first album is named Gulag Orkestar from '05/06
GULAG is an acronym, meaning 'Glavnoye Upravlyeniye Ispravityel'no-Trudovih Lagyeryey i koloniy'; that was the "government agency that administered the main Soviet penal labor camp systems" in the Soviet Union (source)
Ok since I don't own the album (*cough*) I cant give you much more information but hopefully somebody can add some and I will edit this.
Here are some reviews: pitchfork.com 7.7/10
allmusic 3.5/5
Now for the most important part, the songs: You already listened to one song, Postcards from Italy, I also very much like
2. Mount Wroclai (Idle Days)
Yes I know. 'Awesome' is an understatement.
Ultrabere: this guy is a genius
Another way to put it.
Again I strongly recommend to watch a live version (sadly many of them lack a bit of quality, especially when the beat goes off).
+ Show Spoiler +
Damn I hope I get to see them live before I die
3. Scenic world
aquadrama7: This band doesn't get half the credit they deserve.
He is right!And yeah, I know it sounds similar to Mount Wroclai. But it's a debut album and the guy was only 19 years old at that time, show some respect!
4. The Canals of Our City
johnbakal: simply magnificent...!
That speaks for itself.
Feel free to check out the other songs from the album as well. t.t
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The second and arguably better since more mature album is The Flying Club Cup from '09.
reviews: allmusic 4/5
virginmedia 4.5/5
5. Guyamas Sonora
Dainathian: it's very comforting to know that in todays world with unoriginal pop, annoying rap, X Factor and those two irish twin-tits, that a band such as Beirut can still make it big purely because they are FANTASTICLY talented and ORIGINAL.
I can only second that.
6. The Penalty
soleilisthesun: How has Beirut, or Zach Condon for that matter not won a Grammy? How the hell is Taylor Swift winning but these guys don't even get nominated?? Sad sad world.
Well I don't know Taylor Swift, but it sure is outrageous, no doubt!
And of course the ofter quoted, still unmatched
7. Nantes
qpa1:Listening to it with an open window at my side , and birds flying on a clear sky , combined with a hot day !
This is my definition to Orgasm !
This is my definition to Orgasm !
Uh yeah. That certainly isn't my definition of an orgasm. Still a great song though.
I haven't listened to all the EPs yet, but you should definitely check them out, too:
8. La Llorona
lacerniagigante: soy como el chile verde//picante pero sabroso
Whatever the hell that means. Soy = I am. como = how. verde = immature.
..
Ah fuck it.
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I hope you enjoy Beirut as much as I do. I would like to thank Oystein. He played Mount Wroclai one day when I was watching his stream and I instantly fell in love.. sigh. Oystein's stream is the best! Besides ret's that is.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beirut_(band)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulag_Orkestar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flying_Club_Cup
http://dict.leo.org/