eMusic Discovery of the Month: Balkan Beat Box

Every month, I scan the eMusic, waiting to hear that one piece of music that makes me get up out of my chair and insist on downloading the entire damned album without sampling any piece of the rest. I never know when that discovery will come, but I always hope that it will because trying to find 30 new killer single tracks in a month is harder than you’d think.

This is, allegedly, going to improve in July. eMusic is saying it’s expanding its catalog. I do hope that means its indie selections won’t suffer. eMusic is the online equivalent of digging through the cutting bin hoping to find that obscure awesome treasure for $4.99, that ska comp you’re willing to gamble on or Mazarati, or whatever.

I have found lately a great affinity for some acts who are taking distinctively ethnic music and turning it out. There are the Celt rock bands like Flogging Molly and such, and then there’s Beirut, chillingly beautiful music, full horns, fully arranged, with lovely vocals by this Zach Condon kid. Here, go listen.

And let’s not even talk about Gogol Bordello. But of course, that’s what led me to Balkan Beat Box. Which is the one that forced me to download the entire album. Just listen to those chants and those horns, and what is 9/4 actually the time sig? Shit.

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