Tag: Reviews
5
The problem with Svarte Greiner (aka Norway's Erik K. Skodvin) is that it fails to create an atmosphere of any real note in a genre that is brimming with bands and projects that take the listener into all sorts of ethereal worlds. Total escapism is the name of the game in ambient circles and, while "Penpals forever" does offer that to a degree, it's more of a visual image of what Skodvin has done to create the sounds he has, rather than the otherworldly experience that listening to the likes of dark ambient sounds provides. As a result, the potential gloominess that Skodvin could have created is, for the most part, lost and we're left with more of a lesson in sound invention. Maybe this is his intention and, in that case, he's done a sterling job. However, this type of 'music' has been done countless times before and has produced much more profound results in the past. Horses for courses though, and maybe this type of askew instrumentalism is right up a lot of streets for some. For me it's just very average.
- John Norby
Pitchfork reviews the new Silje Nes album "Opticks": https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14814-opticks/
This record is the last outing in the trilogy from Dragontears. At first listen it sounds much more rocking and less acidic than the previous two -- but that's just a scam. It starts out with "Two tongue talk" which could have been a song from the Baby Woodrose catalogue with added psychedelic effects en mass and almost excessive use of theremin. Next track "No salvation" continues in the rocking way and may probably be the closest Dragontears will ever get to an actual radio friendly hit. The song is so darn funky and swinging, it could freak out a dance floor. Besides that, it also features some of the record's greatest acidic guitar work plus phenomenally cool female background vocals by Emma Acs. After this rocking start, it's time for the slow and semi acoustic ballad "Myfriend" -- a melancholic tale about friendship and... well, life in general?! And then... well, let the chemicals kick in. "Time of no time" is a musical trip of many dimensions. It's a matrix of swirling sounds and vocals and the slightly salted tears do penetrate your cortex. This song is, without doubt, one that shows off the blueprint of what the Dragontears collective is all about. After that, we have "William" which is the only really extended track on this record, complete with all the lysergic effects one could want -- and expect! The song has a nice slow groove and a steady almost tribal drum beat that gives it the perfect monotonic, hypnotic feel. The strong and well-written lyrics are in Danish and tells us a story about the haunted mind of painter William Skotte Olsen. Finally, last track "Mennesketvilling" is another dream-catching and surreal song that strongly underlines that this is Dragontears and not just another semi-psychedelic hipster band.
- Tom Gruschy Knudsen
Dusted gives positive marks to the new Junip album "Fields": https://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6055
PopMatters are underwhelmed by the new Röyksopp album "Senior": https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/131273-roeyksopp-senior/
Under the Radar reviews the latest Robyn record "Body talk pt. 2": https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/body_talk_pt._2/
Pitchfork reviews the new Säkert! album "Facit": https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14783-facit/
Under the Radar reviews the new Röyksopp instrumental album "Senior": https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/senior/
The Washington Post Express gives poor marks to the DVD release of Norwegian black metal doc "Until the light takes us": https://www.expressnightout.com/content/2010/10/until-light-takes-us-dvd-review.php
I've been curious to see it, mostly for the Fenriz interviews, but I don't think I've heard from anyone who actually likes the film as a whole.
Dusted reviews the recent Supersilent album "10": https://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6039
PopMatters reviews the 25th anniversary reissues of A-ha's first two albums, "Hunting high and low" and "Scoundrel days": https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/129610-a-ha-hunting-high-and-low-scoundrel-days/
The Line of Best Fit is not impressed by Danish artist Our Broken Garden and her album "Golden sea": https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/2010/10/our-broken-garden-–-golden-sea/
Svarte Greiner
Dragontears