Beirut is a band that has recently stolen my heart. And they are not giving it back.It was an afternoon at my house when my brother burned both their CDs onto one CD for me and insisted I listen to it immediately. Honestly, I was not expecting a brand new obsession. I was thinking a band I would enjoy listening to, something cool to walk down the street to. Now, I do both things with Beirut, and I am also enthralled by them.I believe it is Beirut's unique sound that sets them apart from everyone else. They are indie group based in New York fronted by Zach Condon, who is originally from Santa Fe. The first time I listened to Beirut, I thought "Russian!" The next time, my mom said "Middle eastern!". And finally, with some tracks, we could swear we heard Italian in there. But that's the beauty of their music - you draw something new from it each time you hear them. I do.Beirut have two main releases. One is an EP called "Lon Gisland EP" and one isa full length entitled "Gulag Orkestar". Both are wonderful albums that are worth your time. The songs flow into each other very nicely, the album is constructed well, and it's full of lots of different songs: ones that makes you think, make you listen, make you dance, make you cry...personally, I cannot get enough. They also have one EP that was just released in February called "Pompeii EP".Beirut also manages to blend so many different instruments - acordions, horns, trumpets, piano, guitar, drums...you name it. Wikipedia describes this band as drawing their influence from "eastern european" sounds and folk. Maybe it's this range of instruments and influences that make them sound so different and distinguishable. The sound emitted really is enchanting, you can't stop thinking of their melodies. I was going to talk about some of my favorite tracks by them, but when I went to select some, I started selecting every song off both CDs. I really do love them all, and that's something rare for a band, to be able to listen through a whole CD without stopping it or skipping a song.If I had to choose one personal favorite in a life or death situation, I would have to choose "Mount Wroclai" off of "Gulag Orkestar". Something about this song allows me to imagine so many different stories and scenarios, and the melody really is haunting, especially near the middle of the song when the drums come in behind the accordion and trumpet. Magical.If I have one bone to pick with Beirut, it is with "Scenic World". On "Gulag Orkestar", the song "Scenic World" was first introduced. The first time I heard it, it stuck painfuilly out from the other songs. While the others were full sounding with many instruments and melodies, this one was very electronic based. Luckily, they have redeemed themselves. On their EP "Lon Gisland EP", they redid the song, and definitley changed it for the better. It matches more than style now and uses many real instruments, bridges, and melodies. Make sure you get the second "Scenic World".But that? Minor detail. In all the years you will spend with Beirut, I believe they will not dissapoint you at all. It's a beautiful relationship.