I remember watching Little Miss Sunshine years ago and, beyond the emotion of the storyline, being brought to tears by a lyric-less song I later found out was titled “The Winner Is” by Devotchka (who ultimately composed a majority of the score).
I’m sure if you’re into indie music in any way shape or form and have been for more than a Foster the People (I designate this as a unit of time considering as much as I enjoy them, they’ve already jumped the shark a la their SNL performance), you’ll know of Devotchka. A Denver band with the name of “girl” in Russian, these guys have been gypsy punking since ‘97. In fact, they could be deemed as parental unit of ever popular Gogol Bordello…little more mature but still in the same realm musically. Originally a backing band for burlesque shows, DeVotchKa’s metamorphosis has gone from caterpillar to beautiful butterfly and I don’t doubt you’ll agree if you graze through their catalog.
The lastest album, 100 Lovers, takes the best of their gypsy past and mashes it with gloomy, ethereal indie folk-rock that The National and Beirut seem to fall into. Regardless, the minute I heard their latest album I couldn’t stop listening, particularly because I love both The National and Gogol…so if you put the two together, it’s hard not to feel musically full. The title, 100 Lovers, may actually describe the different aspects of this album from the Russian gypsy to the moody loner vocalist (can you hear a hint of Buckley in there?); the album just feels full of so many personalities. It’s sexy and dark and dynamic…something a devotchka like me can relate to…musically that is…I’m far from having 100 Lovers.
