Efterklang- Parades

Efterklang's second album, Parades is an absolute delight, very rarely do you hear an album that is so epic yet beautifully personal. Imagine Illinois by Sufjan Stevens with elements of Arcade Fire and Sigur Ros and you are kind of there. Oh and sung in Danish.

The band have managed to create such a huge sound it is amazing to think the band have only five members. The orchestration of the album is absolutely fantastic and it really is a crime if this band is not heard by everyone. It is near impossible for me to draw a highlight from this bunch but the albums second track Mirador is near perfect.

Although Efterklang's music might be grand for some peoples tastes but if you are a fan of the bands mentioned above Parades is definitely worth checking out, Parades is definitely a sign that this band has much more to offer, I cant wait to see how these songs are translated live.






Efterklang
"Cutting Ice to Snow" (mp3)
from "Parades"
(Rumraket)

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Here is a beautifully animated video for the track Mirador

Nina Nastasia & Jim White - You Follow Me

On her latest album Nina Nastasia has collaborated with Dirty Three Drummer Jim White and also re-enlisted the production expertise of the amazing Steve Albini, I will never forget walking past Steve's Challet every night at ATP seeing him playing a huge game of poker with various other band members.

Considering other Albini produced albums I have heard You Follow Me is a very mellow affair. I was new to Nina Nastasia's music before hearing this album and I have to admit I am really impressed. She has a really listenable voice with a lyrical flair that her contemparies really lack. Even though the albums production is very stripped down, just consisting of a guitar, vocals and drums there is a great deal of power in the music especially through Nastasias emotive vocals and Whites drumming. Considering the albums quiet sound Whites drumming is very powerful and almost experimental. At some points the drums work as a lead instrument as well as percussion which is very rare with this style of music.

Nina Nastasia's voice is a joy to listen to and has a breathy melody which really grabs your attention, working on different tones and harmonies in songs she really is a fantastic artist. You Follow Me is a really interesting listen, you wont here this level of experimentation in such a stripped form in many albums this year.


Nina Nastasia & Jim White
"I Write Down Lists" (mp3)
from "You Follow Me"
(Fat Cat Records)

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Health- Health

Health's music is nuts, absolutely crazy and I love it! This is not bedtime/ Sunday hangover curing listening this is tribal Drums not Dead era Liars with an electric make over.

The first three tracks scream past you like an earthquake, primal rage in short bursts its not until the forth track in you get some vocals. The vocals seem part of the music rather than leading the songs and it works really well. Crimewave shows this really well, screaming vocals, grinding guitars and drums straight from the Amazon. This is not a tame listening experience for anyone...

The albums 11 tracks clocks in at just over 30 minutes and that is about what you can take before your head explodes, the drumming in this album is exceptional and it really holds the album together. If you are not a fan of the more melodic sounds of the new Liars album and want to hear something a bit more biting this is the album for you. Just don't listen if you have a headache coming on.

HEALTH
"Crimewave" (mp3)
from "HEALTH"
(Lovepump United)

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Video for Crimewave: This is a Crystal Castles remix which gives the track different twist. Funky.