Swing Lo Magellan
by Dirty Projectors

Really starting to warm up to this record more-so than Bitte Orca. Whilst Longstreth retains his seemingly throat-straining vocals and the background female harmonies remain, Swing Lo Magellan differs much from it's predecessor in the sense that it sounds as though the band aren't focusing too heavily on being intentionally difficult (or seeming to otherwise). This album is a far more minimalized and pop-influenced effort (don't get too excited just yet), with also just a hint of country. The strongest tracks in my opinion are those that represent the more minimal sound, such as Impregnable Question (a sweet folksy/country love song) and the Socialites (Amber Coffman's beautiful voice over childishly-fun guitar picking and ambient production). Dirty Projectors may not have fully reinvented their sound but one should never fully expect that when it comes to listening to a band as unpredictable as this (don't call them Indie Rock!!!!)
7.5-8/10

From paladisiac TOP 100 COMMENTER 12/03/2012 22:07 | #56657 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

More quirky indie pop with calm-shattering female backing vocals to propel your day. There's no "stillness is the move" on this album; but otherwise, it falls a little short of its predecessor lacking good melody and feeling lazy in places.

Gun has no trigger is by far the best song on this one.

Beautiful album. This coupled with Bitte Orca has really made them one of the best bands of the last decade. Key tracks: Offspring Are Blank, About To Die, Unto Caesar.

From RockyRaccoon TOP 100 COMMENTER 07/10/2013 01:24 | #80812 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

I’m going to go ahead and say that this album is one of, if not the best album that Dirty Projectors have released yet. It’s very beat focused, the very first song has a beat that you’d expect to hear in a Lil’ Wayne song (coincidentally, Dave Longstreth has said that, among others, Lil’ Wayne was an influence on this album) but there’s indie rock all around it. This album shakes a little, wobbles almost into disconnect, but brings you right back to where you want to be. Not only is it enjoyable to listen to, but it’s interesting, it’s intriguing. You keep listening wondering where they’re going to go next, how they’re going to take the disconnect that you’re listening to and make it coherent, and for the most part, they do it very well. Definitely an album worth checking out.