DeVotchKa : A Mad and Faithful Telling

<img src="http://www.qromag.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/devotchkamadandfaithful.jpg" alt=" " />Once again, DeVotchKa prove to be a huge fish in an Eastern European indie-rock pond.  ...
7.5 Anti-
2008 

DeVotchKa : A Mad and Faithful TellingOnce again, DeVotchKa prove to be a huge fish in an Eastern European indie-rock pond.  Their fifth album swims alone with emotional crooning, danceable whimsy, and such a smooth Old-World-meets-New mix that it’s easy to forget what era they’re actually from.  A Mad and Faithful Telling spans from back alley serenades to carnival-esque romps and features instruments that would make folks on Ellis Island proud.

The wide range of tempos on the album allows the band to go in several directions, and each is as effective as the others.  The opener, “Basso Profundo” is a slick lounge groove with a thumping beat and heavy upstroke enthusiasm.  The next track, “Along the Way” features singer Nick Urata crooning over a shuffling rhythm enhanced by the emotion of a hundred years ago.   “Comrade Z” comes together as a socialist jamboree, while “Undone” has a romantic cafe feel.  A Mad and Faithful Telling is as mature and accomplished as anything in its league.

DeVotchKa have all but mastered bringing the sound of southeastern Europe to America while blending modern, indie rock energy and 60’s lounge smoothness into it.  A Mad and Faithful Telling is unique thanks to its variety, and once again, the band outdoes its contemporaries.

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