Dirty Projectors

Let's do this one backwards - from the time the show ended last night, at The Troubadour, with my visit to the merchandise table. Or should I say my attempt to reach the table. Wowzers. It was bonkers. A fat line was swelling out past the front bar with fans trying to pick up goodies - a shirt, a tote, and limited edition cassette tapes to name a few. I really wanted to see it all myself, as the art work on The Dirty Projectors new album Bitte Orca is reminiscent of John Baldessari's work.


Back to the show. Amazing. Three female vocalist singing at different pitch levels along with Dave Longstreth, the leader of the Dirty Projectors. Prior to going to the show I kept saying - eh, not really into the album, but I hear they are great live, so I should go. I'm glad I did. I was able to really focus on their unusual sound. They use their vocals like instruments as another layer to their already quirky sound. While Longstreth's vocals are somewhat similar to Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig, who once was a part of the band, he takes it to different heights with less poppy hooks. The arrangements are so unique, they feel like a hybrid of experimental/art school rock and African beats. It really took going to the show to understand the genius and beauty of the Dirty Projects are.

Look out for Rise Above, a somewhat Black Flag cover album Longstreth recorded from memory, which now is being covered by Black Flag. Interesting? Yes.