Indie rock in 2009 is becoming pretty predictable, but not in a bad way. A Brooklyn-based band that has been long struggling with the balance of art-house noise and pop songwriting finally finds a middle ground and makes a masterpiece that is both catchy and unexpected. See, that last sentence could describe three of the year's best records: Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavillion, Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest, and now Dirty Projector's Bitte Ocra.
What makes this one different is it's reliance on rhythm. Its best tracks, "Stillness Is The Move" and "No Intentions", are driven on white-soul vocals and electronic R&B beats. The songs are catchy and loose while having a tense emotion to them - it's no surprise that David Byrne is a fan since Remain In Light must have been a springboard for this record.
However, this is still a rock record first. "Temecula Sunrise" features beautiful vocals over offbeat folk guitar playing - it builds to one of the best acid-trip guitar solos I've heard in a long time. "Two Doves" is a tender Elenor Rigby-type ballad with equally stunning female vocals. The interplay of these two voices propel this album and give it a pop feel.
The last two tracks don't quite have the same impact as the rest, but with 9 tracks in 41 minutes, this album flies by and demands replaying. Bright and propulsive, another outstanding indie record to get you through the summer.
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