The Rip Tide

Beirut | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: August 30, 2011
• Label: Pompeii Records
• Copyright: 2011 Pompeii Records
• Total Length: 33:11
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• ASIN: B005HFUQAM
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,818 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Rip Tide September 26, 2011

By aurevoiryouth

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Finally, after confusing people with the March of the Zapotec double EP, Beirut has released their third, concrete album. The Rip Tide is decidedly in the same vein as the previous two LPs, and that is what's wonderful about it. After experimenting with French and Latin influences, Zach Condon has taken further Balkan cues from his debut, Gulag Orkestar.

Gulag is the strongest album Condon has recorded; however, Rip Tide matches the quality of Flying Club Cup (#2). Once more, listeners feel as though they're on a hundred-year-old train, traveling to some long-forgotten old town. There are more upbeat songs here compared to previous tracks, particularly on 'Santa Fe', 'East Harlem', and 'Vagabond'. There is also a wonderful throwback in 'Payne's Bay' to Condon's first recording on an EP entitled The Joys of Losing Weight.

Although some have disregarded this track, a highlight of the album is 'The Peacock'. It carries that familiar, melancholic tune that Condon has conjured up on tracks like 'Postcards from Italy' and 'On A Bayonet'. It is buried at the end of the LP, and has consequently become my favorite track of mid-2011.

On an anecdotal side note that the Amazon universe seems to love: I just saw these guys perform tonight. They are, honestly, a great band. They are shockingly good at getting to the heart of nostalgic, melancholic music. Get Gulag, get this, get everything in between and you will, most likely, feel 100x more human than your office cubicle lets you.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album, Fantastic Packaging August 31, 2011

By Bonnie Billy

Format:Vinyl

Beirut's The Rip Tide is a wonderful album. The songs flow nicely, the lyrics are accompanied by wonderful melodies. Some may complain about the length of the album relative to Beirut's previous albums, but it seems they were focused on releasing and album full of equally great songs, there are no fillers here.

As for the vinyl packaging, it is the best I've seen all year. It is simple, yet fantastic. The record's outer sleeve is thick and sturdy, it is reminiscent of my old, high-fidelity classical records. It is also bound in cloth, adding to the quality of the sleeve. The inner sleeve is a thick, and of high quality plastic. This is one of the few records I opened and put directly on my turntable without having to thoroughly clean. A few specks of dust here and there, but I'm not complaining.

The physical and musical quality of this release is magnificent. One of the better albums of the year, and one of the highest quality packaging I've seen in a while.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beirut Blast October 3, 2011

By Michael G. Evans

Format:Vinyl

This has rapidly turned into one of, if not my favourite album of the year so far. It is a special, special piece of work that is uplifting and thoughtful, tuneful and captivating. I first heard this in Rough Trade East in London and it stopped me in my tracks. Its pace and control are beautiful, a magic collection of songs that deserve listen after proper listen.