Devotchka - 100 Lovers
Proudly enigmatic and eclectic to the max, Devotchka's unique blend of indie pop and everything from gypsy folk, polka, Eastern European wedding music, Afro-cuban and mariachi (for starters) has given the Denver band an interesting and fanciful aesthetic to build on. "We always hoped with this band to not get pinned down by genres, but everyone probably says that," says frontman Nick Urata. “My ideal way someone would describe us would be romantic, exotic or hopefully just plain good." Fifth album 100 Lovers (March, ANTI-) finds the quartet in the southwest expanses of Arizona with producer Craig Schumacher (Calexico, Neko Case) and in the mood for something, well, big. Like 100 Lovers big.
Perhaps it was opening for Muse in Paris to a crowd of 90,000 ("you find out immediately what works")...or taking their music globe trekking from one club or theater to another...or maybe it was Urata's recent spate of soundtrack work. But 100 Lovers has an epic feel to it, a sense of drama aligned to a bold cinematic vision. Post world tour, says Urata, "we marched into the studio battle scarred but inspired - and this is where we ended up." Lead track "100 Other Lovers" beats with an arrhythmiatic heart, pulsing electronics setting the pace for Urata's Byrne-ish croon. Album opener "The Alley" moves gracefully as a richly orchestrated ballad while the punchy brass, zig-zag accordion lines and Latin rhythms of "Contrabanda" take it to a kick-up-your-heels fever pitch.
Devotchka - "100 Other Lovers" (from the album 100 Lovers)
Devotchka - "Contrabanda" (from the album 100 Lovers)
Direct Current
Reader Comments