HILLELKAPS – Review of Lipa’s “Dus Pintele”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This review is a new personal record for me:

3 reviews in one week!

(Make sure to check my reviews on the new Shloime Gertner and Shalsheles albums) This time I’ll be doing a review of the new Lipa album. I think its safe to say that Lipa has a tendency to surprise us. Whether its with his lyrical masterpieces or amazing musical productions you’ll find that he may make things a bit interesting, but he’s never disappointed his fans. This album was co-produced by Lipa and Naftali Schnitzler. Naftali also has a reputation for amazing productions so I’m pretty sure this will be a great album. This album also has 13 tracks as opposed to the typical 10 or 11 track album so that’s definitely a nice bonus for the die-hard Lipa fans. Let’s get started!

1.Nodeh LeShimcha – This song starts off very interestingly with a very synthesized electronic arrangement. I think this is a great appetizer (so to speak) to start off the album. Outside of the funky arrangement the song itself doesn’t get too crazy.

2.Angel – This next song starts off with a swing feel. I like that Lipa did not choose automatically to a slow song after the opening upbeat track. This reminds me of “Mi Chochom” from the “Meimka D’lipa” album. I especially like the vocal interlude towards the end.

3.Kaf Al Kaf – This song features the Kinderlach Boys Choir. So far this the most interesting song on the album (although I don’t doubt there will more original ideas to come within the rest of the album). I think the way the electronic music is mixed with real brass gives it a real edge but that’s just my own personal opinion.

4.Yegia Kapecha – You can tell from the way this song starts that it is going to be a moving ballad. Lipa writes in the booklet that this song is dedicated to anyone who ever received nachas from the children they were taking care of.

5.Adon Kol Hasimcha – Within the CD booklet Lipa writes that he feels privileged to have been misameach at many weddings and he hopes that this song will be one played at weddings in order to be misameach. I think that this song is definitely a good contender to make it on the typical wedding setlist. It’s upbeat, has great lyrics, and definitely fits the wedding theme.

6.Dus Pintele Yid – Finally the title track of the album! For those not familiar with Yiddish you may not get the full message of this track but to put it in short, this song discusses how regardless of our differences we all that spark within us that makes us Jews and therefore we are similar in that way.

7.Ohev Shalom It would seem that many of the songs so far had electronic arrangements but right when you think this is going to be another one of those it turns in the opposite direction. This track features a very catchy chorus.

8.Ata Kidashta – This next song Lipa dedicates to the congregation of his Shul in Airmont. I myself have had the privilege to daven there on a number of occasions and its a gorgeous musical davening. I’m sure that this will become one of the new Zemiros sung at the shul on Shabbos. This song was arranged by Ruvi Banet.

9.Where Is Your Beard – This song is certainly one of the most (if not the most) interesting songs on the album. Lipa discussed the idea of being a Jew on the inside regardless of ones outer looks. Even if you don’t know Yiddish you’ll certainly enjoy the beat and rhythm of this track.

10. I’m With You – This is another great ballad on the album. Lipa dedicated this track to his wife in the CD booklet.

11. Higia Zeman Hageula – I can definitely hear this song being played at weddings. Its a great upbeat rock that’s guaranteed to get you moving. Arranged by Shua Fried and featuring choirs arranged by Lipa himself this song will be one you’ll put on repeat.

12.Venikdashti – This is the last slow track on the album. Lipa writes inside of the booklet that we all withstand nisyonos on a daily basis in an attempt to improve ourselves and this song is about that struggle.

13.Vehaya Beacharis Hayamin – Lipa decided to end this album with an “oom-pah” style track. I like that he chose to do the last track at he end of the album with a song about the end of days.

Overall this is an album you’ll want to your ever growing collection of Lipa albums. If you don’t have a collection yet then there’s no time like the present to start one. Lipa keeps managing to surprise us with new ideas on every album and you’ll find that his songs seem to come from the heart and are transmitting messages to his audience that are very important for our times.