Una Volta

iTunes Review

Una Volta is a seductive brew of Balkan, Bolero, and Romani-influenced rock ‘n’ roll delivered with finely orchestrated style and flair. The group was once a backing band for burlesque shows, and that same dramatic feel permeates this album, as on the instrumentals “C’est Ce La” and “Death By Blonde” and the propulsive “Vengo! Vengo!,” which gleefully touches on a wide variety of musical styles. Featuring four talented multi-instrumentalists, the band collectively plays guitar, violin, accordion, tuba, trumpet, vibes, upright bass, drums, and organ, and their arrangements are fantastically varied and imaginative. And, as “Ocean of Lust” proves, they can also write a great pop song, too. The songs on this album, the third from the Denver-based DeVotchKa, have a great arc, both musically and lyrically, and are a perfect vehicle for lead singer Nick Urata’s spectacular sweeping voice. To give some idea of what his voice sounds like, think of a mix between Roy Orbison, Morrissey, and Jeff Buckley — really. Sophisticated, cinematic, and nonstop fun, Una Volta spills over with eclectic and unexpected pleasures.