speed of dark

It has been a long wait for fans, but with their latest album, A Mad and Faithful Telling, DeVotchKa serves up another helping of their mongrel mixture of East European polkas, Russian chansons, Mexican mariachi, French and Italian cafe accordion melodies, punk sizzle, and rock percussion. It is mad, as in passionate, and completely faithful to the eclectic niche they have carved. Vocalist Nick Urata must have one of the most beautiful and expressive voices in alternative rock. influenced by

Amazingly, this Denver-based quartet went unsigned for years because the big labels considered their style of music "unmarketable." That is, until one of their songs was featured in the movie Everything Is Illuminated (2005), a big favorite of mine, and their songs monopolized the Grammy-nominated sound track for the popular Little Miss Sunshine (2006).

The pace of this album waxes and wanes from track to track, with the first one, "Basso Profundo", kicking off with all the frantic energy of a Danny Elfman composition. Each song that follows has its own character, but dance is the unifying theme, from polkas to waltzes to gentle swaying.

"Blessing In Disguise" is a heartache set to waltz time. "The Clockwise Witness" begins with a synchopated toy piano that soon blends into pizzicato strings accompanying a plea for forgiveness.

There are two instrumentals, the violin-laced "Comrade Z" which conjures visions of squat-kicking Ukrainians in fur hats, and "Strizzalo," which would not be out of place in an Italian restaurant--actually it makes me think of another movie I love, the French film Amelie. Whether "Undone," the epic lament of a dying man, is more beautiful than "Along the Way" is hard to say. Although none of the lyrics are real stunners, Urata's earnest vocals and the intricately twining instruments on songs like "Along the Way" and "The Clockwise Witness" create a musical richness that has few comparisons. The set culminates in the sweet and sentimental "New World."

The ten tracks of A Mad and Faithful Telling are a strong offering that solidify DeVotchKa's place in alternative rock and create a work of grace and beauty that will not disappoint anyone who has enjoyed their previous albums.

The Clockwise Witness from A Mad and Faithful Telling (2008)
Such A Lovely Thing from How It Ends (2005)

MySpace | Website | Label: Anti Records |
Buy at DeVotchKa Store, iTunes, and Amazon.com

More links: NPR Interview with Nick Urata | Album review at Lost In Your Inbox

Show Schedule:
We will see DeVotchKa perform at the Coachella on April 26. They also have an extensive U.S. tour schedule--check their MySpace for dates and venues.