Gulag Orkestar

Special two CD reissue on the 4AD label of this critically-acclaimed debut release featuring a bonus disc with five tracks: 'Elephant Gun', 'My Family's Role in the World Revolution', 'Scenic World' (Version), 'Long Island Sound' and 'Carousels'. The album swirls and sways with a procession of horns, violins, cellos, ukuleles, mandolins, glockenspiels, drums, tambourines, congas, organs, pianos, clarinets and accordions in a wonderfully brash, drunken sound which whirls around Zach's histrionic and bewitchingly plaintive vocals. From the lush trumpet, rhythmically plucked ukulele and somersaulting, emotive croon of 'Postcards from Italy' through to the bustling ghetto sound of 'Bratislava'. Gulag Orkester is a brave and passionate global mélange full of energy, beauty and mystery. Pitchfork declared it to be 'beautiful and disarming', while Drowned in Sound said it is 'precocious, other-worldly and vividly ambitious' while Billboard says 'this is serious music for serious listeners'. 4AD. 2006.