Zach Condon, the virtual one-man show behind the moniker Beirut, has managed to put together another other-worldly, Balkan musical experience with The Flying Club Cup. And I still have a hard time hearing what the hell he’s talking about as his powerful voice lifts itself above the blaring horns and floats delicately with the soft pianos. I know that Beirut doesn’t suit everybody’s tastes–he’s kind of a polarizing, hit-or-miss artist and I find myself often going back and forth about his music.

But I will tell you that The Flying Club Cup is certainly a more consistent effort than Beirut’s debut; it’s more symphonic and voluminous. Listening to “Guyamas Sonora”, the rambunctious vocals carry to a magnificent crescendo that sounds like horses galloping over a barren desert. Or take a listen to “In The Mausoleum”, which actually starts out somewhat-Sufjan-like, but then quickly takes another turn into a string-laden, ballroom-waltz. Beirut has certainly taken on the hefty task of trying to make music that isn’t readily accessible or appealing to people, and yet for the most part, he is succeeding in making it work. Indeed, an esteemed club.

Go and buy The Flying Club Cup.

Listen to “Guyamas Sonora” (4.85/5)

Listen to “Nantes” (4.6/5)
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350-018 is not that hard if you have done 642-372. Still, doing 642-382 helps too.

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