Beirut @ House of Blues, Boston

The band Beirut has a style one could say is all their own. To categorize them by attaching a genre you have to rattle off a series of labels combined into one and try not to feel pompous. My best attempt is "World Music Alternative Indie Folk Rock," and just saying that makes me feel like I sport a man bun. Despite the pretentious 'you wouldn't know them' vibe, the band is fronted by three brass instruments (two trumpets, one trombone), backed by a piano, bass, and drums and has a sound that is both appealing and approachable.

Zach Condon, the lead singer and trumpet player, formed Beirut from a solo musical project he worked on while enrolled at the University of New Mexico. Condon, who grew up in Santa Fe, says his influences are derived from his time in a jazz band as a teenager, as well as his exposure to Mexican music in Santa Fe and world music he experienced on a trip through Europe. Even without knowing this about Condon's influences, it is easy to pick out these sounds in the music.

Condon's baritone voice can be described as plain emotionless yet melodically pleasant. When describing his approach to writing music he states that he composes a full song from start to finish without considering lyrics during the process. Once complete, he then comes up with lyrics and layers them on top of the music. His voice seems to perfectly compliment the music.

Beirut has released 4-studio albums since 2006 each of which run a total length of just over a half hour. Their show at Boston's House of Blues echoed that with a short yet sweet set. They are one of those bands that upon hearing them live they decidedly sounded so much better than on their albums. Only familiar with Beirut's most recent two albums ("No No No" and "The Rip Tide"), I honestly thought I would not make it through the entire show. I was convinced that there was no way a band solely fronted by brass instruments could carry the crowd the entire time. Pleasantly surprised, I found that the trumpets and trombone filled the venue with warm sounds and kept me wanting more. While Beirut's music doesn't easily lend itself to something you would dance to, you could tell the crowd was really into the show. The performance seemed to evoke a memory from a past when everyone was younger and less self-conscious.

Beirut's music is not exactly rock, pop or alternative music. It's not something you would play at a party or dance. They are probably better suited in a slightly stuffier jazz club than a rock club. However, after having my initial judgements remolded, I would say they are worth seeing live even if you don't know any of their music. Just don't expect them to be something that they are not. They were awesome.

Beirut played November 7, 2015 at the House of Blues, Boston. For more information about the band, visit the band's website.