gang gang dance - saint dymphna

If not the most conceptually dense record I've ever listened to, Gang Gang Dance's Saint Dymphna is certainly up there. Even after taking a few listens, to describe exactly what GGD create is next to impossible. It's fair to say they meld together the conventional with the absurd in a beautiful, epically proportioned ritualistic dance record. It's fair to say they borrow heavily from the tribal concept of rhythm tying everything together and being what every other element, be it melody or lyric, flows from. It's fair to say GGD have influences far too vast to ever be accurately described, as it seems they are the type to take inspiration from things both monumental and daily. It's also fair to say they could give a flying fuck what anyone has to say about their sound, as the music is far too singular to be concerned with preconceptions or popular opinion. And, that is for everyone's benefit. 

Calling together hints of grime, Bjork's vocal tendencies, techno, primitivism, and the kitchen sink (quite possible, they have a reputation for playing whatever is available), Saint Dymphna is an out there dance record that could just as easily sate the psyched out Brooklynite as the British rave kid.  Known for heavy improv and colossal jam sessions, Gang Gang Dance seem to have wrangled in their older, more eccentric tendencies towards musical chaos. In doing so, they have not lost an ounce of their uniqueness but instead have made quite possibly the best album of the year, if not a standout in a decade filled with other far flinging combiners of the worlds' various genres. The closest comparison I can think of would probably be Animal Collective, though Avey Tare and Panda Bear seem to use the human voice a little differently than GGD's main singer, Liz and GGD are not as direct in their musical affinities.

To say anything besides the fact that everyone should get this record would render this post void of all purpose. Saint Dymphna is out now, via The Social Registry. See them tomorrow at the Tripe Door w/ Marnie Stern & Growing . 

mp3: gang gang dance - house jam (hot chip remix)