Bebek come to town
Bebek
Open Eyes
(Bebek Music)
Funky, organic trip-hop quintet put a new twist on Philly soul.
Towing boats across similar seas as Morcheeba and Twinemen, Bebek infuse Open Eyes and its six songs with island bass, cinescope arrangements, and Lynn Michalopoulos’ supple voice (brother/keyboardist Nick gets to watch men ogle her onstage). Whether it’s the arching “Balance Beam” or the thumping, reggae pump of “Lead,” there’s little emotion Bebek can’t dictate. The Michalopouloses aren’t exactly gifted lyricists — “Please hold my head/it feels like lead” is a particularly awkward turn — however, which sometimes makes Lynn sound a trifle silly, then undermining the generally serious mood. It’s not unusual for a young band to put too many eggs in one basket though; Bebek just need to learn even EPs demand full attention.
— Kevin Keegan
Appearing: September 20th at Elbo Room in Chicago.
Click here to download a sample of “807 Dub.”
