Review of Beirut – The Rip Tide
Two years have come and gone since Beirut’s last effort, the double EP March of the Zapotec/Holland EP. Having recorded this winter past, The Rip Tide comes to fruition. Surprisingly only the bands third full-length LP and the first in four years. With a whopping three EPs alongside a full-length in ‘07 why the sudden sparsity since? Why after all this time the very short 33 minute playtime? As a fan these questions may frustrate, but as you dig deeper into The Rip Tide, it becomes more and more apparent. Now let’s delve in shall we?
All the instrumentation of previous Beirut releases is immediately apparent with this album. Accordion, brass and that ever present ukulele. What has definitely changed is the songwriting. Combining elements of Folk and Pop and meeting in-between, Beirut have taken less from the folk side and stepped into their own marquee of pop. Escaping the undercurrents of the tools of their trade and making something truly unique and coherent, not just a hashing of concepts.
Lead single East Harlem is a perfect example of Beirut’s use of linear song-structure. Verses met again and again with refrains, beautifully mastering the art of repetition and making each point resonate more and more with each occurrence. The fragility and sensitivity of blooming romance is articulately illustrated through Condon’s expert storytelling.
The title track is an alluring lament to a feeling of nothingness and a longing to have it again. There’s an overwhelming sense of escapism coming from this song, wanting to leave behind the overwhelming nature of everyday life. The title The Rip Tide captures those sentiments, perfectly likening a riptide to that sense of helplessness and lack of control. The whole album seems to have that same ache for control, that want for simpler times. Take Santa Fe named after Zach Condon’s New Mexican home town. He cries out “Sign me up, Santa Fe, and call your son”, wanting to return to his routes.
This apparent disillusion may be held accountable for the brevity of the album and the scant releases. But this is speculation at best. What is certain though is that The Rip Tide is well put together and relate-able. We all have uncontrollable elements in out life. What Beirut are offering is solace in the form of nine tracks. Holding your hand and letting you know, you’re not alone.