DeVotchKa - That Crazy Gypsy Sound
I don't know why, but I have this soft spot for bands that sound like East European gypsies. Apparently, that sound intrigues other people too. DeVotchKa was not the first in this little niche to catch my attention, but they may now have the most recognition and popularity. This is largely due to the release of the movie and soundtrack for Little Miss Sunshine, which features mostly DeVotchKa songs. I'm glad to observe that they have not watered down either their sound or their enthusiasm.
I first heard DeVotchKa last year on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. I had just gotten in my car and turned on the radio, and there they were, playing their cover of the Velvet Underground's "Venus In Furs." It sounded so wild and exotic--and kinky! One of those instant I-gotta-have-that moments. No wonder I have three versions of it.
The versions of "Venus In Furs" and "Curse Your Little Heart" that I have posted here are from that broadcast. They are not the versions you can buy on iTunes, although those are good too. Both are from DeVotchKa's 2000 CD Supermelodrama. I love it when they sing in Spanish.
"Such a Lovely Thing", from 2004's How It Ends, is like some kind of outrageous Romanian circus theme--a real romp.
See DeVotchka's page at MySpace for more music, photos, and winter tour dates.
No comments:
Post a Comment