Is there any band more polarizing in the current indie rock canon than Dirty Projectors? Is it even possible to be simply indifferent to a band that once made a concept album about Don Henley and another album that recreated Black Flags Damaged purely from memory? Those who love Dave Longstreths ambitious, multi-instrumental, description-defying songs really love them: last years Bitte Orca was on numerous top 10 lists. But to actively, regularly listen to Dirty Projectors is to enjoy music not because its lovely, soothing or even palatable but because its interesting. All that vocal and instrumental layering makes the music more ephemeral and conceptual than tangible and hummable. Are the Dirty Projectors pioneers or noise-making hipsters that take themselves too seriously? Maybe indifference would be the safest stance to take. With Dominique Young Unique. PAIGE RICHMOND
Thu., Sept. 30, 8 p.m., 2010
