Anna von Hausswolff – ”Ceremony” (2012)

 

Anna with the German sounding surname was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is the daughter to the sound artist Carl Michael von Hausswolff. Ceremony is her second album after the debut Singing From the Grave. The church organ is in focus on the album, and since I've always been quite fond of this massive instrument, I like the music.

Anna has often been compared to Kate Bush, and of course some similarities exist - they are both two female singers with the courage to venture outside the box. But I absolutely think Anna has her own expression and her own profile. She moves along her own path and doesn’t blindly follow someone else. If you absolutely want to find similarities with other artists, which for some reason can be fun sometimes, my first spontaneous association was Chemical Brothers and their beautiful song Asleep From Day (1999). And maybe you can hear a hint of Pink Floyd, I think mainly of the guitar playing, and possibly a drop of Mike Oldfield à la Ommadawn in some places. But as said, Anna walks her own path. I guess hearing similarities to other artists' music is inevitable, doesn’t matter what artist you listen to. And in Anna’s case it even takes some good will and imagination.

 

The church organ, appearing in 9 out of 13 songs, has a tendency to give the music a rather dark twist. When I listen to the album I feel like I'm in a church, and would consider playing some of the songs at my funeral. Song titles like Epitaph of Theodor, Deathbed or Funeral for My Future Children hint that death is a theme that pops up regularly on the album. But it’s not a depressing record, the songs are often so beautiful that the beauty of them dominates the experience. The church organ's presence is not a requirement for a fine experience, though, the songs without the organ are just as beautiful.

Sometimes the tempo increases on the album, as in the song Sova, but most songs are quite peaceful and tranquil. Here and there you are treated to atmospheric experiences as the closing number, Sun Rise. A couple of instrumental songs also appear, including the sound experiment No Body, and through out the album it’s a pretty big soundscape. There are beautiful melodies through out the album, and the stroke of genius to let the church organ take the center spot at least works on me.

Tracklist

Side A
1. Epitaph Of Theodor 5:25
2. Deathbed 8:38
3. Mountain Crave 3:35

Side B

1. Goodbye 6:16
2. Red Sun 3:17
3. Epitaph Of Daniel 3:10

Side C

1. No Body 2:33
2. Liturgy Of Light 5:01
3. Harmonica 4:22

Side D

1. Ocean 5:44
2. Sova 3:24
3. Funeral For My Future Children 4:42
4. Sun Rise 4:52

Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros - "Here" (2012)

  

Sometimes you just want to be taken care of, wrapped up in cotton and let all worries float away into the distance. At least I feel that way in moments when I feel really sorry for myself and nobody, absolutely nobody, cares for me. Then I can let Here spin the turntable and it immediately feels better.

Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zero is a collectivistic band formed in 2007 in Los Angeles, consists of a dozen people and is led by singer Alex Elbert. Alex is a former member of the band Ima Robot. Here is their second album of three so far. The band's music has a distinct touch of the 60's and 70's hippie music, with a slightly more modern sound. Hippie music may here be defined as psychedelic folk with elements of gospel and other cool stuff. I discovered the band through their first album Up From Below which I have on CD. Some of you have probably heard the song Home from that album.

Here is equal to their debut album and a logical continuation. Both albums have the quality to contain some really beautiful creations mixed with some a little more dull. Favorites on Here is the opening track Burning Man and side A’s closing number Mayla, also the whole album’s highlight. If you listen to that song one can’t feel depressed, wrapped in cotton as you get. Jade Castrinos also contributes with vocals on some songs which make them duets. The B-side is really good all the way through and with a higher lowest level but without side A’s clear peaks.

Edward Sharpe ... seems to be a relaxed bunch of people who are surely nice to hang out with. I have "liked" their Facebook page and therefore regularly receive beautiful and positive messages from them. This is reflected in the music. Sure, you recognize some stuff in the music from past decades, but which band doesn’t re-use ideas from earlier and/or other artists? A visit with to the band and this album is recommended.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Man On Fire 4:19

2. That's What's Up 3:52

3. I Don't Wanna Pray 3:27

4. Mayla 5:43

Side B

1. Dear Believer 4:47

2. Child 3:10

3. One Love To Another 3:32

4. Fiya Wata 4:13

5. All Wash Out 4:41