CHECKOUT: Beirut

Jason Rhoades - Untitled [Chandelier] (2004)

You could chalk up Beirut's buzz to the inevitable summer transition where introspective notebooks and gloomy grey ties are ditched for margaritas and buzzing with new friends on the porch. Or perhaps it's the universal appeal of fun music with interesting inspirations and a worldy style that can whisk you away to the ideals of another place. Either way, Beirut joins with Man Man to support the ballooning credibility of traditional Russian hipsters and the darkly enticing party atmospheres they create. The depth of Zack Condon's instrument closet reminds me of my recent nocturnal nostalgia-fueled affair with the movie Everything is Illuminated and his vocals of a Rufus Wainright and Colin Maloy love child.

Beirut - Postcards From Italy (mp3)