Птица (Bird):
By the Russian band АукцЫон (Auction). There is a nervousness in this album that reminds me a lot of Talking Heads. Similar to Talking Heads in Remain in Light, АукцЫон turns to somewhat unusual musical inspirations in this album. I think I hear a lot of Russian folk sounds, most notably captured by a number of brass instruments (trumpet, tuba, etc.) Sometimes the backing band gives off this strange Oom-pah/Ska hybrid vibe, but it isn't so weird that it distracts me. This album would definitely be considered genre-bending in my book. Something about it also reminds me of Tom Waits, but I haven't been able to put my finger on that yet. Something darkly perverse I guess?