Move over Veckatimist, there’s a new sheriff in town for second best album of the year (yes, of course Merriweather is first). It’s an album that’s slightly underrated, never hyped like the beasts that Veckatimist or Merriweather are, and often times dismissed because of The Dirty Projectors former albums.
But Bitte Orca is so far from the solo David Longstreth era Dirty Projectors is nearly unrecognizable. Though Longstreth’s amazing guitar work remains, Bitte Orca is a more original, more polished, more enjoyable Rise Above. The album’s cover features two of the most talented women in the music business, Amber Coffman and Angel Deradoorian, vaunting the importance of the two on this album compared to former works. The pair make the album what it is, their vocals, used exclusively on certain tracks like the first single “Stillness is the Move” or used perfectly in conjunction with Longstreth on “Cannibal Resource” to create a sound that’s uniquely Dirty Projectors. And that’s why it rivals some of the best material out there, just like Animal Collective or Grizzly Bear define their genres or in essence create their own genres, The Dirty Projectors define what art-pop, or whatever you choose to call, is.
Tracks like “Useful Chamber” exemplify exactly why The Dirty Projectors are in a class of their own. It starts with a slightly electro-infused bass line, something uncharacteristic yet still well placed. Longstreth’s undulating voice comes in, calm and whisper like. Deradoorian and Coffman follow, adding a melody that echos and swirls. The Dirty Projector’s constuct a song like it’s a painting. One thing builds onto another, parts overlap, it becomes a mess, but yet the goal remains clear, the meaning is clear. The song slows, it gathers itself for the album’s title, “Bitte Orca, Orca Bitte.” Longstreth absolutely whales on the guitar, plucking string after string in his own unique sound. It’s classic Dirty Projectors, and as Deradoorian and Coffman sing as loud as ever, the song comes to its crescendo. “Useful Chamber” continues on. There’s a small guitar solo, there’s more drums at the end of the track than on any other song. It’s masterful… and probably only the fifth best song on the album.
Many of the songs on the album follow that same formula, the following track, “No Intention” is nearly the same way. Using Coffman and Deradoorian as compliments to Longstreth’s powerful vocals. “No Intention” shines thanks to the guitar once again, the way Longstreth plays the guitar, it sounds nothing like anything else out there. It’s perfection, it’s precision, it’s just plain fun to listen to. Each string has it’s own individual sound, and as he plays up and down the guitar, Longstreth is crafting the album of the year. whoo whoo whooo, if you read this far, and if you know how much I lOVED Merriweather you’re wondering what’s going on. Well readers (all 5 of you), after seeing The Dirty Projectors live earlier this year at the Walker Arts Center, playing nearly the entire album live before it’s release, and after listening to the album countless times already, I think it’s safe to say that Bitte Orca is THE album of the year so far.
It just does everything so well, and so uniquely. Maybe it’s the timing, teaming the summer-ish feeling album with the summer, and maybe I’m just in a really good mood today, who knows, but as Bitte Orca plays in my ears yet again, it’s as enjoyable and as jaw-dropping as the first second I heard “Stillness is the Move” live months ago. The Dirty Projector’s have put themselves on the map as a band, not Longstreth making weird half-instrumental albums or re-creating Black Flag songs, but as a full-fledged force. Bitte Orca is a beautiful work of art. Exemplifying some of the best vocalization and guitar work on album in a long time, it’s time for Merriweather and Vecaktimist to move over, because Bitte Orca is only beginning to gain momentum.
MP3: The Dirty Projectors – “Stillness is the Move” (A Cappella Version)
9.5/10 This album simply has to be heard, get it at one one of two places: Amie Street mp3s or Domino Records
MIND INVERSION 