Whether it's references to tangrams or music-theory mathematics, trying to make sense of The Books' "Beautiful People" ends up revealing more questions than answers. From the song's outset -- a solemn incantation played in reverse -- vocalist Nick Zammuto conjures a hymn-like mood: "Behold the finite set of 13 convex figures / The rational sin versus tangent 45." Similarly religious language ("genuflect," "amen") crops up throughout the song, but the object(s) of extolment appear to be secular: "Pure abstraction" and trigonometry are celebrated rather than "amazing grace."
Luckily for those who may not relate to lyrics about fractions, the music speaks for itself. Buoyant, space-race electronics chug along with the syncopated drum-pulse (somewhat akin to Kraftwerk on the Autobahn), with decorative washes of horns and a few weaving guitar parts for good measure. The mood is charming, especially by way of Zammuto's accent-shifting repetition of "to begin again" and the song's gorgeous coda. And, while some listeners may scratch their heads at the words, the sense of intrigue feels appropriate after a few listens. After all, who ever said understanding the mysteries of the universe was a prerequisite for venerating them?
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