Yes...the Dirty Three are a most righteous musical unit. Actually, I kind of disagree that you can't hum ANY of their songs, although the tunes, etc. do tend to bleed together. The early albums (Sad & Dangerous and that first one on Touch & Go...I think it was just self-titled) are a little more abstract and all over the place...on those the tunes are more distinct and perhaps even hummable. By this time, with Ocean Songs, that album is much more tightly focused and is practically one long rolling piece. Ever catch these guys live? Pretty intense...the violin player is funny as hell and goes nuts when he's playing. Last time I caught a show of theirs, a friend of mine is yelling in my ear at the apex of a particularly chaotic jam, in complete amazement, that "they're only playing one fucking chord!!" Not sure if they were being critical or not, but that comment actually highlights what is so special about the band. There music has next to nothing to do with "chords" or "songs", but rather is an exercise/exploration in dynamics and texture. Something that, in lesser hands, would turn into self-indulgence, but with the Dirty Three...
Oh, by the way, personal picks (and I'm not sure if I'm getting the titles right) for fave compositions...Indian Love Song and Susan's Last Ride.
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