I once played Efterklang's sophomore release for a friend of mine at work one day and she immediately described it as "sounding like something from a disney movie." If she meant that it was magical, fantastic and beautiful, then yes, she would be right.
After touring extensively around the globe in support of their critically acclaimed release of Parades and signing to 4AD, Copenhangen's Efterklang are back in 2010 with a new collection of songs called Magic Chairs. As the title suggests, it is to be taken in through a pair of clean headphones and an open mind.
The album kicks off with "Modern Drift," a song they released as a single when they announced the date of the record. "Modern Drift" shows the band evolving into a tighter, more accessible band without letting go of that huge, big band sound.
MP3 :: Efterklang - Modern Drift
"Alike" opens with minimalistic drums and synths which are soon to be sent into orbit by Clausen's soaring voice and accented by warm brass. "I Was Playing Drums" is [as suggested] a drum heavy, beat driven tune that turns the record on its side for a second with its dark, doom-y and mysterious soundscapes full of strings and pounding pianos.
MP3 :: Efterklang - I Was Playing Drums
Fast forward a bit to "Harmonics" and be welcomed by soft crooning and light, calculated strings clearly influenced by Dirty Projectors and their friends in Grizzly Bear. "Scandinavian Love" opens with a faster beat than the rest of the album, but the prolonged vocals of Clausen and its minimalistic nature [in Efterklang measure] make it seem more laid back then it actually is, which may not be the best thing. "Mirror Mirror" makes up for what the pervious song loses. It's delicate, gentle, catchy, huge and soaring - exactly what Efterklang IS. I have witnessed them play this song live and it seemed as if the room just disappeared and we were above the dark night of Philadelphia.
MP3 :: Efterklang - Mirror Mirror
"Natural Tune" closes out the record on a soft [but large] note, leaving its listener captured in its beauty until it loosens its grip and almost immediately lets go - "I'm heading straight/heading back."
Overall rating: 8.5/10
MAGIC CHAIRS will be out Feb 22nd on 4AD.
If you EVER have the chance to see Efterklang perform live, take the chance and do it. Your appreciation for their large sound will surely bloom. Here are some dates with Balmorhea:
3/2 - Philadelphia, PA / First Unitarian Church [sanctuary]
3/3 - New York, NY / Le Poisson Rouge
3/4 - Boston, MA / TT The Bears
3/5 - Montreal, Canada / La Sala Rosa
3/6 - Toronto, Canada / El Mocambo
3/7 - Detroit MI / The Pike Room
3/8 - Chicago, IL / Lincoln Hall
3/11 - Seattle, WA / The Triple Door
3/12 - Vancouver, BC, Canada / Biltmore
3/13 - Portland, OR / Doug Fir
3/15 - San Francisco, CA / Bottom Of The Hill
3/16 - Los Angeles, CA / Spaceland
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