Rosaile Wind reviews new new Dirty Projectors album, Bitte Orca.

     Dirty Projectors, the Brooklyn-based experimental rock band, have created a profound album for worthy ears with their 2009 release of “Bitte Orca.” Having only listened to their covers of sonic and infused Black Flag songs in “Rise Above” (2007)  and the swelling orchestral works of “Slaves’ Graves and Ballads” (2004), my expectations for another memorable and cunning work of art were met with “Bitte Orca.”
The fifth album by Dirty Projectors, “Bitte Orca” opens with the soaring “Cannibal Resource,” introducing the stinging and leading voice of David Longstreth. He sings with an experienced sharpness, and shows off his talent at compiling arbitrary instrumentation and intact vocals.
Next, the pleasing “Temecula Sunrise,” acts as a bedroom ballad accompanied with sensual and desirous lyrics (“You and me baby, hitting the spot all night”) and sunny, straining guitar striking.

     Written specifically to highlight Amber Coffman’s impressive voice, “Stillness is the Move” easily became my favorite track on “Bitte Orca.” I listened in awe as Coffman impressively carried and commanded the song with her edgy vocals, only enhanced by Brian McOmber’s skilled and knowing percussion.

     “Two Doves” shows off another soloist, Amber Deradoorian. Strings fluidly introduce and end this bluesy and gauzy track. They add to her resigned and unfulfilled emotion as she meaningfully laments, “Your two eyes are like two doves/ But our bed is like a failure.”

     We then return to Longstreth’s distinct and stormy voice with “Useful Chamber,” which reminds us that this album is also that of collaboration, not merely hypnotizing soloists. The eternal “No Intention” follows, continuing the overall hopeful and searching feeling of “Bitte Orca.”

     My two complaints in “Bitte Orca” consist of “The Bride,” unfortunately the most disappointing track and the only-okay “Remade Horizon.” Both illustrate Longstreth’s efforts to sound captivating and resounding, but will not woo the listener.

     The closer, “Fluorescent Half Dome,” serves as a reminder of Longstreth’s haunting croon. Though again revealing the numerous talented musicians, I wish it had not been the final track because it fails to stun with the cohesive and progressive brilliance of Dirty Projectors.

     Overall, the inventive and unconventional “Bitte Orca” will enchant you. You may have to listen to it a couple times before you can truly appreciate it, but it is worth the wait.

4/5 Wooves