The Books

Rather than using samples as mere ironic afterthoughts, experimental duo The Books uses vocals, acoustic guitars, and strings to drill deep into the emotional surprises of its massive found-sound collections. Not that Nick Zammuto and Paul de Jong fudge the actual songwriting—it’s just that the music works in delicate sympathy with the many snippets of people talking, clapping, laughing, etc. The duo continues to take rhythmic and melodic cues from such clips on 2010’s The Way Out, its first album in five years. The album reaches into odd territories even for a band whose career is based on left turns—The Way Out is purportedly influenced by New Age music, math, and religion. 

Updated 03/30/2011