Beirut: Gulag Orkestar

Label: Ba Da Bing!

Indie rock may not always be predictable, but it’s usually a safe bet that the best indie rock album of the year would feature a guitar or two. But there is nary a six-string to be found on Gulag Orkestar, the debut from Beirut, the Balkan-rock vehicle of 19-year-old vagabond Zach Condon, who scoured Eastern Europe last year in search of musical inspiration, hooked up with some first-rate musicians (Jeremy Barnes of Neutral Milk Hotel and Hawk and a Hacksaw among them), and delivered a shining masterpiece that’s not only quirky and endearing but also the flat-out most enjoyable record of the year. So why did this odd little record affect us all so deeply? It’s an album brimming with heart and sincerity, from Condon’s melodic croon to his delightful storytelling. But none of it would work if he didn’t deliver a highly tuneful record, which he did in spades in 40 glorious, unforgettable minutes. And for a motley collection of ukeleles, brass and drums, this band sure can sure kick up the jams.