Artifacts began humbly as a means of compiling a few early Beirut EPs for a proper physical release. However, as Zach Condon explains in album’s excellent liner notes, reconnecting with old recordings through fresh ears turned a simple re-issue project into something much more expansive. “When the decision came to re-release this collection, I found myself digging through hard drives looking for something extra to add to the compilation. What started as a few extra unreleased tracks from my formative recording years quickly grew into an entire extra records-worth of music from my past, and a larger project of remixing and remastering everything I found for good measure.”
Artifacts is a phylogenetic tree. A double-LP’s worth music that traces the evolution of Beirut from a 14-year old Condon’s first attempts at bringing the music he heard in his mind to life, to the fully formed Beirut we know today.
Artifacts is a phylogenetic tree. A double-LP’s worth music that traces the evolution of Beirut from a 14-year old Condon’s first attempts at bringing the music he heard in his mind to life, to the fully formed Beirut we know today.
STAFF COMMENTS
Barry says: An essential collection of early Beirut bits and pieces, lovingly reworked and remastered by condon, and brought out with a lovely booklet explaining the pieces. Including possibly my favourite Beirut work, The Lon Gisland EP. AceTRACK LISTING
SIDE A
01. Elephant Gun
02. My Family's Role In The World Revolution
03. Scenic World
04. The Long Island Sound
05. Carousels
06. Transatantique
07. O Leãozinho
SIDE B
08. Autumn Tall Tales
09. Fyodor Dormant
10. Poisoning Claude
11. Bercy
12. Your Sails
13. Irrlichter
SIDE C
14. Sicily
15. Now I'm Gone
16. Napoleon On The Bellerophon
17. Interior Of A Dutch House
18. Fountains And Tramways
19. Hot Air Balloon
SIDE D
20. Fisher Island Sound
21. So Slowly
22. Die Treue Zum Ursprung
23. The Crossing
24. Zagora
25. Le Phare Du Cap Bon
26. Babylon