Dirty Projectors- About To Die EP
Record Label: Domino
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Dirty Projectors are a little bit strange. A quick glance at the American indie rockers’ Wikipedia suggests that the band hold similarities with a range of artists including; Frank Zappa, Beyoncé and Steely Dan. So, of course they were never going to release something normal. The ‘About To Die’ EP, born out of extra songs written for earlier this year’s critically acclaimed, Swing Lo Magellan, is four tracks of slightly awkward but never boring indie rock.
The EP is kicked off by "About To Die", a track featured on Swing Lo Magellan. All changes and sudden stops, the track is extremely angular. The vocals have an impressive range and each part of the track is in a state of fluctuation and whilst it is an interesting song, it’s hard to understand why the band felt the need to put it on another record. It hasn’t been changed in any way and its inclusion feels a bit unnecessary. "While You’re Here" is a lot better. Slower and more attractive than the opener, it allows the audience to actually enjoy the track without being interrupted by yet another left turn. The violin/vocals combination is executed perfectly and the band manage to be unique without sacrificing the listener.
“Here Til It Says I’m Not” is certainly single material. The vocals are attractive and the chorus is almost catchy. The lyrics sound somewhat nonsensical but the driving chorus have an anthemic feel to it and the track is a highlight of the record. Closer "Simple Request" is has a country feel to it teamed with the typical Dirty Projectors awkwardness and it ends with the listener wanting more.
Overall, About To Die isn’t particularly great. The EP is quite unnecessary, it’s not as if these songs were dying for a release. It’s not even like the band are utilizing the EP to put out songs they have an unending desire to be heard by the public, the re-releasing of the track, "About To Die" shows this and it’s just confusing as to why they released this. "While You’re Here" is the best song off the release, however it touches nothing on Swing Lo Magellan. We should probably try to ignore this release and think only of Swing Lo Magellan when we consider Dirty Projectors' 2012. A bit of a disappointment.
Not gonna bother with this. I also really never got into Swing Lo like I did with Bitte Orca, which is disappointing because I love that record and was really excited for this one.
Swing Lo Magellan really changed my opinion of this band - Bitte Orca , while an interesting listen with one immediate standout ("Stillness is the Move"), just never clicked with me when it came out. Swing Lo did, though, and I guess the rest of their catalog (or that that I've explored) did as well. Still, I think Swing Lo is their best. And as for this EP, I've only listened once, but the review pretty much nailed my feelings. "While You're Here" is the best song by a long shot, but it's not fleshed out enough to truly great, I think. Definitely a disappointment for me, as Swing Lo is one of my very favorite records of the year.
Swing Lo Magellan really changed my opinion of this band - Bitte Orca , while an interesting listen with one immediate standout ("Stillness is the Move"), just never clicked with me when it came out. Swing Lo did, though, and I guess the rest of their catalog (or that that I've explored) did as well. Still, I think Swing Lo is their best. And as for this EP, I've only listened once, but the review pretty much nailed my feelings. "While You're Here" is the best song by a long shot, but it's not fleshed out enough to truly great, I think. Definitely a disappointment for me, as Swing Lo is one of my very favorite records of the year.
Same with me I got into Swing Lo quicker then I thought. The first track "Offspring is Blank" hooked me.
I didn't even know they have an EP though I will check it out.
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