ALBUM REVIEW: EFTERKLANG - Magic Chairs

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

MP3: NEW EFTERKLANG SONG! - Modern Drift

Sometime last week, Efterklang announced the deets on their new LP entitled Magic Chairs. "Modern Drift" is the new song which introduces us to "a new Efterklang sound." A little more delicate and upbeat than the usual orchestrated bombardment of overwhelming but gorgeous sound. This is still Efterklang, but they have grown to incorporate a fresh vibe for 2010. Magic Chairs will be out Feb 22nd on their new home at 4AD.

MP3 :: Efterklang - Modern Drift

Read more about this new release on their site. Don't forget to sign up to their newsletter to get up-to-date info on everything Efterklang.

TRACKLIST:
01: Modern Drift
02: Alike
03: I Was Playing Drums
04: Raincoats
05: Harmonics
06: Full Moon
07: The Soft Beating
08: Scandinavian Love
09: Mirror Mirror
10: Natural Tune

VIDEO: The Big Pink - "Dominos"

New video for Big Pink's "Dominos" complete with exploding ice sculptures. If you haven't listened to them yet, you've seriously been missing out on one of the best albums of 2009. [video via P4K]

[previously: STREAM SESH - A Brief History Of Love]

STREAM SESH: The Big Pink - A Brief History Of Love

This morning I got an email that the new Big Pink album is now streaming for one week in order to promote the upcoming LP which is due out Sept 14th via 4AD.



You can also download the track "Dominos" for your own listening pleasure in the future

Don't forget to pre-order the album

[previously: MP3: The Big Pink - Dominos]

[mp3] The Big Pink - Dominos

London, England's shoe-gazing duo The Big Pink have just released their first single from the upcoming debut album A Brief History Of Love. Check out the song "Dominos" down below. You can download it for free over @ their official website. All you have to do is sign up to their emailing list. It's no big deal and it's totally worth it.



A Brief History Of Love is out Sept 15th via 4AD

Tea Shop Review: Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career

While working at "tea shop" [I'm leaving it un-named for various reasons], I often get the chance to plug in my iPod and chill with some tunes to help pass the time. "Tea Shop" was really slow with business today so I put on the new Camera Obscura album that I recently received while I sipped on some Darjeeling. I only heard a little of it earlier today while getting ready to leave the house.

The opening track "French Navy" kicks off their latest album damn well with blasting drums and Tracyanne Campbell telling us about her week spent at a dusty library. The song really caught me when the trumpets and violins kicked in around the 1:00 mark. I was involuntarily tapping my toes and bobbing my head while talking to customers and making drinks. I don't think they minded very much.

The rest of the album made me wish I wasn't at work on such a nice 70 degree weather day. The cranking violins, hammering xylophones, crumbling tambourines and overall infectious pop tunes are really meant to be heard outside, although they did make my work experience at least a little brighter.

Camera Obscura - French Navy
Camera Obscura - The Sweetest Thing

Go ahead and pre-order My Maudlin Career now @ insound dot com. MMC is officialy released on May 19th via 4AD Records.