DUD OF THE MONTH

DeVotchKa
"A Mad and Faithful Telling"
(Anti-)

The most overrated band of the year (so far, so far) has never called a record "Gypsy Vamps and Things." It did, however, call one "Supermelodrama." Although Nick Urata can't match pipes with Richard Hawley, a plus in a way, he's hawking mellifluous overstatement flavored with a nostalgia far enough past its sell-by date that it stinks a little. Foregrounding Hungarian violins rather than Balkan brass, the Gypsy thing is more a borderline-genteel branding device. Humor is discernible in "Basso Profundo," "Head Honcho," and "Transliterator" -- if you seek it out, as I am paid to do. Songs one can relate to as songs are harder to come by.

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