DeVotchKa – A Mad & Faithful Telling
I suppose it’s pretty obvious to point out that gypsy music, or Eastern European folk at the very least, is to the noughties what Irish folk was to the eighties. That much, I suppose, is fairly clear but what I can’t quite imagine is gypsy stuff falling quite as out of fashion with my own ears as Irish folk music has. I know that this is the very nature of fashion – it’s such an instinctive thing, and so inconceivable at the time how things can drift so comprehensively in and out of favour – but it still seems odd to think of.
I say this because I adored the sound of Irish folky stuff back in 1990 at least as much as I am currently loving all the groups dabbling in the music of Eastern Europe at the moment. But listening to Irish folk-rock now it just sounds so incredibly dated, and I assume the same must happen here eventually.
Pointless waffling aside, of course, I have to point out that this is an incredibly good album. It’s less tinny than some of the early Beirut stuff, less frenetic than A Hawk & a Hacksaw and less pop than a lot of other imitators. They aren’t a straight up folk band by any means, of course, as their excursion into soundtracks with Little Miss Sunshine and their origins as a Burlesque band emphasise.
I don’t know quite to describe what they have that sets them apart from a standard carnival folk band, but there’s something deeper and weightier in the sound. Perhaps it’s something more grandiose or more cinematic, although it’s quite possible I’m only saying this because I know they’ve done film work. There also seem to be hints of Mariachi in there as well, although given my musical ignorance I don’t know if this is because there actually is some Mariachi in the music or if it’s just because they remind me of Calexico.
Anyhow, I reckon you’ve pretty much got the point by now. I’ve struggled slightly to get into their stuff in the past, but this appears to be the album that’s cracked it.
DeVotchKa – Along the Way
DeVotchKa – Undone
I’m with Dylan. Terrific. I think what sets these tunes apart is their restraint and their complex orchestration. Not self-indulgent at all, which is quite an accomplishment with kind of “carnival folk.” Also, the singer does a great job of “selling” that whole lovelorn southwestern vibe. Great voice. There’s just tremendous mellow warmth there. Think I’ll buy this one. Is there vinyl to be had I wonder? Sounds like it would be perfect.
amen, brother! although you know you’re preaching to the choir here.
i have to say that i bristle when devotchka is compared to beirut–it’s actually the other way around. beirut sounds like them.
as it stands, a mad & faithful telling is holding steady as my number one album of the year. i really won’t be surprised if it still is come year-end list time.
c&b–nick urata is a singer in a class by himself. 
Yeah, there’s definitely some mariachi in the first one (growing up in California, there’s a lot of it around). The first thirty seconds of the second song remind me of flamenco, both in the guitar playing and the passionate singing style…though that’s not terribly surprising because flamenco’s heavily infuenced by gypsy music! Both great songs, thanks for putting them up!
Ah flamenco – I’d never thought of that. Mind you, I wouldn’t recognise flamenco if I found myself dancing it with a buxom Brazilian ladyboy, so no surprise.
Marcy – quite right, that’s some voice. Distinctive and lovelorn, and just short of a wail when he really gets going.
Aren’t these brilliant?!
Loving it..