Sonic Level: Dirty Three - The Restless Waves

A band that will soon reach it's maturity (meaning it'll celebrate 18th birthday in 2011) is a rare thing these days. It is in fact Matusalem: older than Mogwai, older than Sigur Rós and most of the bands that invented post-rock. The point is that Dirty Three continues music trip, and post-rock is only a short stop on a long way. From playing with Nick Cave & Bad Seeds to three-continent accomodation of group members, the trio has never been mainstream cup of tea - meaning they were never stopped on their tracks.

While Jim White and Mick Turner are clearily responsible for rock aspect of this sound, Warren Ellis (yeah, he is that guy with enormous beard, who plays in Grinderman too) uses violin, bouzouki and mandoline to give folk feel to DT's sound. And (what a surprise, I'd never guess this!) the Three is extensively supported by David Grubbs' piano and harmonium as well as Steve Albini's (I swear, this man is everywhere!) production. Worldwide music community limited to few omnipotent bosses? Sure, why not.

Dirty Three has never been split up, yet it's not releasing anything since 2005. New York, Paris and Melbourne are really far from each other and there is only little hope those dirty musicians will meet again in studio. Let's enjoy what they left us: this one could be in fact kind of epitaph for them. Or maybe it's premature to say so? Well, I hope so.

Dirty Three - The Restless Waves