Dirty Elegance Finding Beauty in the Wretched

  full reviewuser ratings (11) 
Tracklist:
1 Foreword (1:28)
2 Foreign Objects (4:13)
3 Solicitude (3:13)
4 Wirrok (5:00)
5 Aural Mist (3:59)
6 Eternal Infamy (1:53)
7 Blind Eye (3:23)
8 Jury And Hick (2:00)
9 Leaves Of Autumn (3:16)
10 Frozen In Time (4:31)
11 Eventide (5:01)
12 Tailor Made (3:58)
13 Melophobia (3:34)
14 Accouchement (4:22)
15 Dark Pockets (2:02)
16 Engloutir (4:07)
17 Laurel Marty Scrapings (2:26)
18 Angelic Remedy (4:45)
19 Down The Hole (1:56)


Release Date: 2007

user rating
4.1
excellent
Chart.


  On 5 Lists

5.0
classic
Sam Feldman's Rating USER (66 Reviews)

June 17th, 2010 | 13 replies | 4,157 views

6 of 6 thought this review was well written

You most likely haven't heard of Dirty Elegance, the electronica act that has produced 2 albums, both from this past decade. Hailing from the gritty streets of New York, Ditry Elegance provides a spectrum of different sounds and ideas, most of which revolve around IDM and trip-hop. His focus is undeniable; most of his songs have meticulous construction with sounds and instruments placed at certain parts of the songs to resonate effects. Songs explode with beats and keyboard melodies and just as quick desolve into phenomenal ambience. The strongest of Dirty Elegance's explorations come in the form of his full-length debut, Finding Beauty In The Wretched. At 20 tracks long, the album seems overwhelming at first glance and it should; Finding Beauty... is ambitious and consistent enough to be considered one of the better electronica albums of the past decade.

Now make no mistake about it: Dirty Elegance is founded upon clear-cut trip-hop and IDM influences; what makes Finding Beauty... so marvelous is his use of ambience throughout ethereal parts of the album. The effect that is gained is like moving slowly through a tunnel filled with multicolored explosions that reflect off of everything. The sound is so full, so filled with life it is hard to escape Finding Beauty... at nearly any point during its long run.

The album also carries along a futuristic undertone as some of the trip-hop beats are glitchy and edgy, yet only underline the vast universe of sound that encompasses Finding Beauty.... The first half of the album moves along at a steady pace, showing off Dirty's fabulous instrumentation with electronica, until it rises to album highlight "Leaves Of Autumn". The ambience that kicks off the song creeps along in waves of sound, keeping in tact the futuristic vibe. The song then erupts into what can only be described as a power ballad from the 31st century. Glitchy drums glide the song underneath a beautiful piano loop and angelic female vocals that startle and stay in your head for days. This is Finding Beauty... in a nutshell; a powerful epic that demands curious thought about the future, and ultimately life itself.

Hopefully the guy gets recognized, as many of you out there are missing out on what is sure one of the best electronica albums of the past decade. Even if IDM isn't your thing, give Dirty Elegance's Finding Beauty In The Wretched a try; you just might transport into the future.

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Comments:Add a Comment 
TheSpirit
June 17th 2010



13835 Comments


really good review man

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qwe3
June 17th 2010



20274 Comments

Album Rating: 4

cooooool album

cooooool review

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SowingSeason
Staff Reviewer
June 18th 2010



11561 Comments


i've never heard the album, but this review is a classic. 5/5

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Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories

Jethro42
June 18th 2010



9311 Comments


Sounds interesting. Good review, pos'd

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Digging: Locanda Delle Fate - Forse le Lucciole non si Amano piu

ConsiderPhlebas
June 18th 2010



5898 Comments


Great review. Need to hear this, sounds like something I'd love.

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Digging: Joy Division - Closer

Gyromania
June 18th 2010



9320 Comments


Excellent review, you're getting better, and I've enjoyed your others as well. pos.

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Digging: Between the Buried and Me - Colors

Deviant.
Staff Reviewer
June 18th 2010



24677 Comments


Dude, nice review, though I do prefer Ode To Bartleby to this. Only slightly though

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Deviant.
Staff Reviewer
June 18th 2010



24677 Comments


Dude no worries, it made me check the review out so all good haha

Enotron
June 19th 2010



7687 Comments


Great review man, def your best yet. I must check out this album.

Enotron
June 19th 2010



7687 Comments


along with the rest of the shit you review that I still need to check out

Jethro42
June 19th 2010



9311 Comments


yeah I still need to read your review, chambered
edit: Oh Wait!,,,I've read this, and you also got my vote :D

Psilocyanide
June 21st 2010



1822 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Sounds like I'll love this, will check out ASAP. Nice review too.

Ghearufu
January 10th 2012



85 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I know I am a tad late to this party but people need to hear this, it just has so much emotion and strength that it appeals to everyone. Felt a need to comment since I know how under rated this will remain.

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