Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Dirty On Purpose - Not So Dirty

Within 30 seconds of first putting on this album, the horn section on the first track, No Radio, made me think of Beulah, but don't pigeon-hole the group yet. I think the strongest characteristic of Dirty On Purpose's newest release, Hallelujah Sirens, is the wide spectrum of sound they lay down on it. From the horn section in the first track, to the soothing cello in the slower paced Lake Effect, even the varied instrumentation adds to the overall feel of the album.

The group puts out a dreamy, dynamic, shoegazey sound (I've always wanted to say that ever since I read my first shoegazing post (and saw my first shoegazing picture) on Mars Needs Guitars!) that fades in and out effortlessly. Listen closely and you'll hear several layers pouring out of your speakers at any one time with plenty of reverb to make your ears buzz.

Since releasing their freshman EP in 2005, Sleep Late for a Better Tomorrow, a tight 5 track beauty that was a little popier, Dirty On Purpose has made a roster change. Erika Forster, who performed some of the vocals, is not present on their latest offering, leaving this Brooklyn group an all male quartet. This I think, in part, has something to do with the evolution of their sound. Not to say that I would judge either album as better than the other, but there is a definite difference between the two.

Dirty On Purpose - All New Friends : Sleep Late for a Better Tomorrow

Dirty On Purpose - No Radio : Hallelujah Sirens

Dirty On Purpose - Your Summer Dress (live) : Live in Boston 10-1-05, Nemo Festival (Studio version on Hallelujah Sirens)


You can digitally purchase both of these albums from eMusic, or for those of you who like the real deal to hold in your grubby little hands, order them at the North Street Records site.

Interested in learning more?

Check out an older interview HERE.
Visit the band's official site HERE.
(where you can download the rest of the live set from Boston)
Become their friend in MySpace HERE.

BONUS Beulah Track with stirring horn section:

Beulah - If We Can Land A Man On The Moon, Surely I Can Win Your Heart : When Your Heartstrings Break

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