The Rip Tide
Beirut · 2011
33 min · 9 tracks · folk music
A blend of lush orchestration and intimate folk melodies, weaving global influences into a rich sonic tapestry.
Top tracks — play these first
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Santa Fe — This track encapsulates the album's essence with its reflective lyrics and warm instrumentation, echoing the longing for connection and place.
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East Harlem — A standout single, East Harlem combines buoyant melodies with poignant storytelling, effectively illustrating Condon's ability to evoke nostalgia.
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The Rip Tide — The title track serves as a thematic anchor for the album, merging haunting vocals with rich orchestral textures that embody the emotional depth of the record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends diverse influences with strong craftsmanship, creating a distinctive sound that rewards repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a steady build of instrumentation, layering strings and brass over simple melodic lines.
- The tempo shifts noticeably between tracks, with 'Goshen' introducing a slower, more reflective pace that contrasts with the preceding songs.
- Several tracks incorporate non-traditional folk instruments, such as the accordion and ukulele, enhancing the global influences in the sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- lush arrangements for intimate listening
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- world-weary narratives to ponder
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy excitement
- prefer standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2011, The Rip Tide marked Beirut's third studio album, following the critically acclaimed The Flying Club Cup. At this point in his career, Zach Condon had solidified his unique sound, blending Eastern European folk with indie pop, while exploring more mature themes and arrangements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sufjan Stevens· Fleet Foxes· Iron & Wine
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 A Candle’s Fire 3:20
- 2 Santa Fe 4:15
- 3 East Harlem 3:59
- 4 Goshen 3:21
- 5 Payne’s Bay 3:49
- 6 The Rip Tide 4:27
- 7 Vagabond 3:19
- 8 The Peacock 2:27
- 9 Port of Call 4:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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