Kaputt

There's something really awful about many indie-bands -- its the sense of irony that many carry. This irony is used as a way to distance the listener from the artist's true feelings; in many ways, it's a protective tool. Destroyer's full length KAPUTT feels completely devoid of this ironic distance that has plagued a lot of recent music. The album is an exercise in easy listening, jazzy, smokey, soft-rock, but there's nothing cheeky about it. It's completely straight-faced and serious.KAPUTT isn't a record for everyone, and I don't mean this in a "oh, you just don't understand" way -- the soft, jazzy atmospheres that carry each song will probably bore some listeners. Most of the tracks here are midtempo affairs, and Bejar's voice generally stays around soft-crooning and whisper levels. The opening track, "Chinatown," will probably serve as a good divining rod to determine who will like the record and who won't. It's breezy, smokey, littered with saxophone and trumpet solos, and backed with support female harmonies. The song is also a good indicator for Bejar's rich, story-driven lyricism. While many critics cite Destroyer's sound as being mired in the 1980's, there is plenty of nuance here that sets it apart from being just an empty homage to past music. Destroyer's sound doesn't change too much from this early point until the final track, "Bay of Pigs." It's an 11+ minute jam that covers a wide berth of musical ground, covering the aforementioned jazzy soft-rock, to 70's prog, to late 60's glam. This track sticks out a bit, as it wasn't originally recorded for KAPUTT but was released a few years back as a single. It's ending, finishing with acoustic strumming serves well to loop right back into "Chinatown."Fans of Bon Iver, Beach House, LCD Soundsystem, and some of David Bowie's work in the 80's will find a lot to love here. Standout tracks include "Chinatown," "Savage Night at the Opera," and "Suicide Demo for Kara Walker." I'd recommend those who are interested to check out these tracks (whether it be sampling, streaming, or downloading); they will give a good indication of what this album holds. While I enjoyed this album quite a bit in the moment, it just isn't one that I keep coming back to. KAPUTT is great for its dreamy, textured soundscapes, but it doesn't hang in the room after it ends.(Additional Release Information)Fans of Destroyer should seek out the vinyl version of KAPUTT. This version includes a record called The Laziest River that includes:"Prelude (Estuary)""Nagel's Marimba""The Laziest River""Palm Springs Life""Landing on Water."

I listen to all kinds of music, and this is one of those great albums that's really hard to pin a genre too. Contemporary-soft-jazz-poetry-alternative-rock? I guess that'll do.Whatever it is, it's one of my favorite albums to come out of 2011. I would say that the songwriting is a little "indulgent' at times wiht some of the expanded intros/outros, but I think that adds to the charm of when the songs finally kick in.Also, I've seen them play much of this album live, and I truly, truly believe that Dan Bejar knows what it means to be "strung out in the rain."

Not much to add to all the good 4 star reviews. Just that YES, I loved it and bought it with the first few bars. Thankful to hear real musicians doing wonderful music. And thanks to you and Amazon for running it at such a bargain today. A real treat and I might not have bought a band like this had it not been up there in the left hand corner! I hate to sound like a geezer, but my ears say thank you, too!You are on my computer, FIRST on Cloud, and hopefully I can get Cloud and iTunes to not fuss when I turn on my phone.

One thing you can say for Destroyer, Dan Bejar is never content to rest on his laurels. After the triumph that was Rubies, and the surprisingly similar follow-up The Trouble in Dreams, we knew a sharp left was coming. And it does, in Kaputt. Owing as much to 80's easy listening and new wave as it does indie rock, Kaputt is an album unlike any of Destroyer's other output. As a long time fan, I can't speak to how new listeners will appreciate it, but for long time fans it might take a little longer to crack, but the rewards are as strong as ever. The album ends with last year's amazing release "Bay of Pigs," and although it's been cut down 3 to 4 minutes, I can't even tell. Another must own for Destroyer fans, just don't be surprised if you have to listen to it a while to appreciate it.

I know a lot of music, but had never heard of this guy/band before now. Weeks back I downloaded the free song "Chinatown" and loved it. So when this album came up as a 2.99 daily deal I jumped on it. The first full album I ever downloaded. Very happy with it. The songs just kind of float along, nothing too extreme either way, just pleasing. Many of the songs include what I assume is a saxophone and it really adds to the sound. Just the right amount of it. There's a subtle electronica vibe too, just enough to detect. Keyboards are another nice addition.I gotta say, minutes after I downloaded the album I burned it to disc, played it in my livingroom and hit the couch, and was lulled into the best nap I'd had in months. The guys voice and manner of talk/singing I find soothing. Easily a new favorite band. Well worth the price.

Kaputt is one of the great feel good albums of the 21rst century. Wonderfully produced, this music is candy to my ears. Only being familiar to one other Destroyer album, a follow up would be nearly impossible to replicate in overall quality.

Gift for my boyfriend

Destroyer shift's gears again with Kaputt. Never one to be pegged to any particular music styles, Dan Bejar has produced another classic Destroyer album. I agree with a previous reviewer, listen to the first few bars of the album and you'll know whether or not you'll like this one. For me, it's a definitely contender for top album of 2011.This has already been a great year for music and Destroyer's Kaputt is another top-notch release.

The spindle hole on disc one Is too small. Disc two Is noisy and has distortion on the last track.

A true masterpiece. It gives you the impression that it was recorded as an improvisation in the studio, yet it's so complex, so atmospheric and beautiful, unlike anything that Dan Bejar has released. Truly recommended

An absolute masterpiece

"Kaputt" is Bejar seemingly at his mellowest, drifting through a world shrouded in synthetic keyboard fog and saxophones. But surfaces can be deceiving. Reference points include the carefully manicured work of Donald Fagen, Bryan Ferry and Talk Talk, and Blue Nile's 1989 album, "Hats," a clinic in how to extract warmth, color and humanity from cold technology. On the ninth Destroyer album, Bejar takes his own voyage down the Blue Nile into that era, with its smooth-jazz signifiers of semi-sophisticated adulthood (saxophone, flute) and gauzy lounge-music textures.But chilling out and sipping chardonnay to this soundtrack is not recommended. Upon closer inspection of this studied gentility, it becomes apparent that Bejar has a few issues, a longing that verges on loathing. His sing-speak vocals turn innocuous observations ("the tide comes in") into mantras. Or he'll paint violent images inside frameworks that sound conversational, almost tossed off: "I've seen it all, I've seen it all/Magnolia's a girl, her heart is made of wood/As apocalypse's go, that's pretty good, sha-la-la wouldn't you say?"The tension between the lyrics and the pretty, pastel music is never resolved. In the background, a muted trumpet blows smoke rings

Nothing seems to be stopping Dan Bejar's lust for song writting, given his collaberations with Swan Lake, The New Pornographers, and his Solo work, he still finds time to sit back and record nine tracks for his other project Destroyer. These nine tracks entail the album kaputt, an album that appears to be a change of pace for Destroter. What's first noticable here is the albums 80's, New York style groovy rock influence, long time Destroyer fans might be surprised to hear the strong female back-up singers, landscaping synths, and saxophone solos. This is a welcome change for the group, as it provides a weightier/deeper experiance that's much more atmosheric and chill. Songs like "Kaputt", "Chinatown", and "Song for America" are incredibly vibrant, while the song "Bay of Pigs" is eleven minutes of pure euphuria. Kaputt is one of the strongest albums of 2011 for sure!

El vinilo llegó 5 días después del pedido. Son dos vinilos negros estándar con muy buena calidad de sonido, el lado C tiene música extra, lo cual siempre es apreciado!De mis álbumes favoritos del 2011. 💕

This is one amazing album. No matter what sort of music you like, what Destroyer has done here is create music that, in my opinion, transcends preference. All I can say it MORE Dan...MORE.

Es un muy buen disco, se escucha bien des de el inicio al final. Recomendable 100% y el formato es correcto.

Pressing was kind of wobbly. Definitely not flat. Great album. Sad news about the pressing. Good thing I have a decent TT for the record not to skip.

Tot perfecte

Música maravillosa en un formato magnífico: dos vinilos blancos en un cuidado packaging y con un sonido cálido imposible de conseguir en CD

Les arrangements sont d'une grande finesses et mettent particulièrement en valeur la voix particulière de Dan Béjar. Même le saxophone devient supportable, Destroyer donne ses lettres de noblesse à une pop qui flirte souvent avec la FM sans tomber dans le mauvais gout. L'écoute de ce CD procure un plaisir qui se prolongera longtemps

great album. The Album cover is great, but more importantly THEY USE GOOD PLASTIC AS A SLEEVE TO PUT THE VINYL IN. nothing worse than a paper insert.....

Just a great album to sit and listen. Great loud. Great while reading a book. Great while cleaning the house.

The New PornographersのDan Bejar氏によるソロ・プロジェクト、Destroyerのアルバムです。か細く不安定なボーカルと甘美なメロディーの絶妙な味わい、ディスコ風シンセビートとジャジーなサックスの融合など、大人の切ない陶酔とほろ苦い喪失とが同居したAORサウンドは、懐かしいのに新しいという奇妙な感覚を引き起こします。さらに、自然なようで不自然、純粋なのかひねくれているのか、真面目にやってるのかふざけてるのかわからない、独特の「つかめなさ」は本作最大の特徴であり魅力であると思います。聴きこむうちにどんどんクセになり、発売当初から現在まで、私の愛聴盤として重要な位置を占めている不思議な作品です。イントロの旋律から既に眩暈を感じそうな<#1 Chinatown>、インディーファン以外の心も鷲掴みにするであろうキャッチーな<#2 Blue Eyes>、シンセやギターの手触りなどNew Orderを彷彿とさせる<#3 Savage Night at the Opera>、儚げなギター＆フルートの導入部から勇ましいトランペットが乱れ飛ぶ終盤まで見事な構成の<#4 Suicide Demo for Kara Walker>、優雅なホーンが印象的なリラックスしたムードの<#5 Poor in Love>、80年代への愛と幻想に満ちた代表曲<#6 Kaputt>、繁華街での孤独と混乱が見え隠れする<#7 Downtown>、ポジティブなビートに乗せ美しくも辛辣な詞を歌う<#8 Song for America>、奇妙で危ういバランス感覚のまま言葉が溢れだしてゆく大作<#9 Bay of Pigs (Detail)>と、全曲すばらしい。