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Kansas Eiffel

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Aug 4, 2024, 1:56:01 AM8/4/24

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Discovery LP: A Unique Collaboration Between Indie Rock and R&B

Discovery LP is the debut album by the band Discovery, a side project of Rostam Batmanglij from Vampire Weekend and Wes Miles from Ra Ra Riot. The album was released in July 2009 on XL Recordings and features a blend of indie rock, electronic, and R&B influences. The album received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised its experimental and catchy sound.

The album consists of 10 original songs and two covers: "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 and "Can You Discover?" by The Free Design. The songs showcase the diverse talents of Batmanglij and Miles, who share vocal duties and play various instruments and synthesizers. The album also features guest appearances by Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend and Angel Deradoorian from Dirty Projectors.

Some of the highlights of the album include "Orange Shirt", a funky and upbeat track that samples "Try Again" by Aaliyah; "Osaka Loop Line", a synth-pop anthem that references Japanese bullet trains; "So Insane", a romantic and soulful ballad; and "Swing Tree", a playful and whimsical song that mixes xylophone, harpsichord, and auto-tune.

Discovery LP is a refreshing and innovative album that showcases the creative potential of cross-genre collaborations. It is a must-listen for fans of indie rock, R&B, and electronic music.

The album was recorded in various locations, including Batmanglij's apartment in Brooklyn, Miles' parents' house in New Jersey, and a studio in Los Angeles. The duo worked on the album sporadically over the course of two years, whenever they had time off from their main bands. They exchanged ideas and files online and met up occasionally to record vocals and finalize the tracks.

The album's title, LP, is a reference to the vinyl format, which the duo preferred over CDs or digital downloads. They wanted to create an album that would sound good on vinyl and have a cohesive flow from start to finish. They also wanted to pay homage to the classic albums of the 1970s and 1980s that influenced their musical tastes.

The album's cover art features a photo of a young Batmanglij and Miles taken by Batmanglij's mother in 1991. The photo was chosen to represent the childhood friendship and nostalgia that inspired the album. The cover also features a colorful geometric pattern that resembles a quilt, which Batmanglij designed using Photoshop.

The album received positive reviews from critics, who praised its originality and diversity. Pitchfork gave the album a 7.6 out of 10 and wrote: "Discovery's debut is a rare example of indie rockers embracing R&B not as an influence but as a peer, and it's one of the most intriguing and enjoyable records of the year." Rolling Stone gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote: "Discovery make charmingly warped pop that suggests a future where genres don't matter."

The album also received some criticism, mainly for its use of auto-tune and its lack of cohesion. The Guardian gave the album 2 out of 5 stars and wrote: "Discovery's LP is a mess: a collection of half-baked ideas that never cohere into anything resembling an album." Spin gave the album a 5 out of 10 and wrote: "Discovery's LP is a frustratingly uneven affair that squanders its potential with too much gimmickry and not enough substance."

The album sold moderately well, reaching number 6 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart and number 38 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart. The album also spawned two singles: "Orange Shirt" and "So Insane", which received some airplay on alternative radio stations. The duo performed some live shows to promote the album, including opening for Phoenix at Madison Square Garden in October 2010.