DFTD’s Favorite Albums of the Year: Dirty Projector’s Bitte Orca
Personally, my favorite album of 2009 is Dirty Projectors’ Bitte Orca. The short reason? It sounds like nothing else I’ve listened to recently and that excites me. I’ve heard plenty of people say negative things about Bitte Orca- it’s too weird, it’s unmelodic, it makes me uncomfortable. I can’t relate. While I understand it’s challenging, I find so many moments I love: the opening guitar lines on “Temecula Sunrise”, the groove of “Stillness is the Move”, the harmonies in “Remade Horizon”.
I definitely think Bitte Orca is best listened to as an album, so take your iPod off shuffle if you’re giving it a chance. This is one of the most innovative, challenging, eccentric, yet accessible albums to come out in years, and I think it deserves all the acclaim it’s received. I don’t know what the hell Dave Longstreth is referencing when he shouts “Bitte Orca” during “Useful Chamber”, but I can’t help and sing along.
