Sound is the colour they know. Part Mexican funeral band, part bloated brass section, The Rip Tide balances out subtly by being over the top. Zach Condon’s infatuation with accordion oozes throughout. “East Harlem”’s warbly wordplay takes listeners uptown, downtown. Having left home for Paris, Condon muses about the inevitable return to Santa Fe. He asks “The Peacock,” where to begin again? Trumpet. Euphonium. French horn. Tuba. Trombone. Cello. Ukulele. Gorgeous sounds and lyrics settle into the envelope of the ear. Condon cautions listeners: “Be fair with me, I may drift awhile.”
This article appears in Sep 1-7, 2011.