Balmorhea – River Arms #20-2008

Balmorhea – «River Arms»

This one is such a treat. You might call it classical indie-music, or you might call it «whatever» you like. Nevertheless, there are string instruments, piano and a certain longful mood throughout the album, and the result is beautiful. Slow arrangements, intense melodies, occasional vocals [without singing any actual words], merely sounds – all carefully intergrated in the final result.

This album has [probably] been overlooked. Surely. Someone should take on the task of waking people. I’m quite sure I’m not the right person to do it, but this is my contribution. If you like classical music, you have a lot to discover by listening to this collection of songs. Grab a beer, no actually, just find a comfortable chair and sit down with this music. Then grab that beer... Stare at the sky, gaze out on the sea, study the waves or the movement of clouds, try listening to trees giving in to the storm – and you won’t find anything to complain about with this as the soundtrack. You just need time. Time to listen.

[This review was written under the influence of amounts of Carlsberg – and the aftermath of good company, following a night out.]

Tracklist:
01. «San Solomon» – 3:43
02. «Lament» – 3:35
03. «The Summer» – 3:56
04. «The Winter» – 5:51
05. «Greyish Tapering Ash» – 3:41
06. «Baleen Morning» – 3:44
07. «Barefoot Pilgrims» – 4:53
08. «Context» – 4:02
09. «Process» – 6:20
10. «Divisadero» – 3:09
11. «Limmat» – 3:22
12. «Theme No. 1» – 5:11
13. «Wind And Sea» – 3:56
14. »San Solomon (Reprise)» – 3:30

Myspace: Balmorhea

Titus Andronicus - The Airing of Grievances - #4/2008

Titus Andronicus / «The Airing Of Grievances»

It was released by Troubleman Unlimited in 2008. The band is from Glen Rock, New Jersey (US), and was formed in 2005. «The Airing of Grievances» is their debut-album. These guys are building blocks of sound with their guitars, drums and loud singing (read: screaming vocal). However, the «noise» they make is of the melodic kind – and is probably suitable when working out in a gym, fighting your way onto public transportation or anything else that makes you sweat. One thing I’m sure of is that it would work well contrasting a quiet Sunday walk.

Tracklist:
01. «Fear and Loathing in Mahwah, NJ» – 5:56
02. «My Time Outside the Womb» – 2:55
03. «Joset of Nazareth's Blues» – 2:30
04. «Arms Against Atrophy» – 5:16
05. «Upon Viewing Brueghel's Landscape with the Fall of Icarus» – 4:25
06. «Titus Andronicus» – 3:13
07. «No Future» – 7:39
08. «No Future Part Two: The Day After No Future» – 6:54
09. «Albert Camus» – 6:25

This is how they present themselves on their own blog:
«Titus Andronicus like to scream and carry on at excessive volume. Titus Andronicus like songs which are fast more than songs which are slow. Titus Andronicus think slow songs are okay sometimes. Titus Andronicus never sing about love, only hate. Titus Andronicus have no hope for the future. Titus Andronicus believe only in nothingness. Everyone in Titus Andronicus was born to die. Titus Andronicus crave your approval but will settle for your utter disdain.»

http://titusandronicustheband.blogspot.com

MySpace | Pitchfork (review) | Wikipedia

Label as: Shakespeare, Albert Camus, «...your life is over...»

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid - #10/2008

Elbow ­ / «The Seldom Seen Kid»
First released by Fiction Records on 17 March 2008 in the U.K.

This is another strong collection of tunes from the Elbow. Since their debut back in 2001 (Asleep In The Back), I must admit I have been off and on following their work. They have in total released four albums and as with their first release, this one caught my immediate attention. They’re belting out fat vocal, rhythm and riffs like weather beating mountain tops, while telling interesting stories. Why ask for more?

Tracklist:
01. «Starlings» – 5:20
02. «The Bones Of You» – 4:49
03. «Mirrorball» – 5:50
04. «Grounds For Divorce» – 3:39
05. «An Audience With The Pope» – 4:27
06. «Weather To Fly» – 4:29
07. «The Loneliness Of A Tower Crane Driver» – 5:14
08. «The Fix» – 4:27
09. «Some Riot» – 5:23
10. «One Day Like This» – 6:34
11. «Friends Of Ours» – 4:38
12. «We’re Away» [UK bonus track] – 1:59

Mormor Anne Cath.

Takk Anne Cath.

Jeg lurer på hva Lillebror ville ha sagt.

Larsen & Ullmann

Two quite captivating personas, Liv Ullmann and Marit Larsen.

Obviously, their presence are known to me because they are Norwegians, like myself. But apart from tiny coincidences (like that of citizenship) I just want to state that these two women resemble each other in so many ways. The way they talk, body language and their appearance in public situations bare many similarities. I hope I don’t qualify in being some sort of stalker by declaring such a thing – at least that was never my intention. My knowledge of these gifted two is limited to what I’ve seen in interviews and read elsewhere about them. (And of course from their work within the arts, which I find enticing; Larsen and her music, Ullmann as an actress and director.)

They appear somewhat shy (in that, to me – agreeable fashion), funny and enlightened in a coy, [feminine?] manner. Of course I am not sure if this annotation at all serves any purpose, I only write about it here because it is my own observation. [In fact it is probably a very inadequate reflection.]

This was first of all a post to congratulate Liv Ullmann on her birthday tomorrow.

Järvinen & Norlin - För varje hjärtslag

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Wonderful. Not new, but wonderful.

Fifteen highlights

Here are fifteen musical highlights for me so far this year. It was impossible for me to find links to all of these songs, but I have tried to compensate by including another tune from the albums containing the songs in question. Other links again might have some poor sound-qualities, so it would be wise to check out the actual albums.

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• / «Time To Pretend» - MGMT (Oracular Spectacular)

• / «A&E» - Goldfrapp (The Seventh Tree)

• / «Anna» - Hello Saferide (More Modern Short Stories...)

• / «Chorus of Guitars» - The Big Sleep (Sleep Forever)

• / «Only One» - The Cure (4:13 Dream)

• / «Your Protector» - Fleet Foxes (Fleet Foxes)

• / «Buenos Aires Beach» - The War On Drugs (Wagonwheel Blues)

• / «Alicia Ross» - Kathleen Edwards (Asking For Flowers)
[alternative link: acoustic guitar-version from Privatclub, Berlin]
• / «Surely Gone» - Ida (Lovers Prayers)

(link to the song «The Weight of the Straw»)

• / «Broken» - Late of the Pier (Fantasy Black Channel)

• / «Notion» - Kings of Leon (Only By The Night)

• / «Slipped Dissolved And Loosed» - Lambchop (OH[Ohio])

• / «Baleen Morning» - Balmorhea (River Arms)

(link to the song «San Solomon»)

• / «Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur» - Sigur Rós (Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust)

• / «If A Song Could Get Me You» - Marit Larsen (The Chase)

----------------------------------------------

This is most likely a post that will be updated.

[1st update, making it sixteen]
• / «I’ll Be Glad» - Bonnie ’Prince’ Billy (Lie Down In The Light)
[alternative link, a tribute to the ’Prince’ with some well revealing photos]

The iPod Shuffle Game

The Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet has picked up on a new "game" presented in the English magazine The Word by David Hepworth. Randomize! Set your mp3-player to shuffle, and see which five songs it picks out for you.

It’s labled the game "everyone-but-cheats-can-play", so it’s all about honour I guess. Wouldn’t want it any other way... me? – I cheated...! (only a little bit of course), but I think the majority of people cheat (and especially online), here’s my list with the first five songs from shuffling my iPod:

• Hanging Around The Day --- The Polyphonic Spree
• Brand New World --- Cowboy Junkies
• Throw The Stone --- Micah P. Hinson
• Not So Far To Go --- Kelly Joe Phelps
• I Let Love In --- Nick Cave

In that order; and I just cheated to avoid Abba. I do listen to Abba occasionally, but they are everywhere these days, so I wouldn’t want to support that. Everyone ought to forgive me for that! (And Nick Cave is really a rather good replacement for the Swedish kings (and queens) of pop.)

Here’s the list from iTunes on my Mac today though (I’ll try not to cheat this time, but I can’t promise anything):

• Orleans [Traditional] --- David Crosby
• This Is On Fire --- Computerclub
• Torn Blue Foam Coach --- Grand Archives
• The Water Is Wide --- Bob Dylan
• Static On The Radio --- Jim White

(I didn’t cheat...)
Now go see what others have shuffled here at The Word, and here at that Norwegian so-called-newspaper – cause they do present news, though with a rather lame selection of important stuff, but with a stronger emphasis on celebrity-gossip, sports and such. I can live with that. I can always go elsewhere to get information.

Shortlist - Albums Of 2008

Obviously, the start of November is way too early handing out final votes for albums of the year, but here’s a shortlist from me thus far. (Listed here in no particular order, surely.)

01. Hello Saferide
– More Modern Short Stories from Hello Saferide
02. Anita Lipnicka & John Porter
– Goodbye
03. Rachael Yamagata
– Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart
04. Lambchop
– OH (ohio)
05. Marit Larsen
– The Chase
06. Bob Dylan
- Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8
07. Bonnie ’Prince’ Billy
– Is It The Sea?
08. Horse Feathers
– House With No Home
09. The Asteroid No 4
- These Flowers Of Ours: A Treasury of Witchcraft and Devilry
10. Hey Rosetta!
- Into Your Lungs (And Around In Your Heart And On Through Your Blood)
-------------------------------------------------------
11. Okkervil River
– The Stand-Ins
12. Late Of The Pier
– Fantasy Black Channel
13. The Lord Dog Bird
– The Lord Dog Bird
14. The Great Northwest
- The Widespread Reign of the Great Northwest
15. Calexico
– Carried To Dust
16. Conor Oberst
– Conor Oberst
17. The Rural Alberta Advantage
– Hometowns
18. Organic Stereo
- The Stories Linger In My Mind
19. The Walkmen
– You & Me
20. Kleerup
– Kleerup
-------------------------------------------------------
21. Kathleen Edwards
– Asking For Flowers
22. Thea Gilmore
– Liejacker
23. Emmylou Harris
– All I Intended To Be
24. The Hold Steady
– Stay Positive
25. Titus Andronicus
– The Airing Of Grievances
26. The Ting Tings
– We Started Nothing
27. Bonnie ’Prince’ Billy
– Lie Down In The Light
28. Willard Grant Conspiracy
– Pilgrim Road
29. Gemma Hayes
– The Hollow Of Morning
30. Tokyo Police Club
– Elephant Shell
-------------------------------------------------------
31. Fleet Foxes
– Fleet Foxes
32. Elbow
– The Seldom Seen Kid
33. Tindersticks
– The Hungry Saw
34. Taken By Cars
– Endings Of A New Kind
35. Hinterland
– Pan Pan Medico
36. Balmorhea
– River Arms
37. The Big Sleep
– Sleep Forever
38. Ida
– Lovers Prayer
39. Drive-by Truckers
- Brighter Than Creation's Dark
40. Goldfrapp
– The Seventh Tree
-------------------------------------------------------
41. The War On Drugs
– Wagonwheel Blues
42. Susanna
– Flower of Evil
43. Cut Copy
– In Ghost Colours


Bon Iver’s "For Emma, Forever Ago" have been re-released this year, but as it figured in my list for 2007, it will not be included even if it is such a good album that it easily could have made any list for the coming five years (at least).

Hey Rosetta!

Hey Rosetta! "Into Your Lungs (And Around In Your Heart And On Through Your Blood)" is unable to beat Marnie Stern’s "This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So It That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That" in the race for longest title on their album, but the Canadians has delivered a treat what-so-ever. "Into Your Lungs..." was released on June 3 2008, produced by Hawksley Workman.

Opener "New Goodbye" sets the tone. Alongside the tracks "There’s an Arc", "Handshake the Gangster", "A Thousand Suns", "We Made a Pact" and "Red Heart" it is still very much the first song on the album that grabs your immediate attention. Guitars, piano, violin and cello, sing-a-long choruses and a fat, solid sound are keywords describing the efforts here. "Into..." is not talking-revolution-or-a-new-world-order, but the band have put together a very good set of songs. Vocalist Tim Baker's efforts can resemble Chris Martin, however luckily lacking the latter’s sulky [and much too frequent] outbursts.

Hey Rosetta! can be checked out at Wikipedia, MySpace and their official site. (And they're here on Facebook.)

Listen free to the band at Last.fm.

Hello Saferide

Hello Saferide's latest "More Modern Short Stories From Hello Saferide" (2008 / Razzia Records) has already been praised by others, and I have (of course) also become captivated by these songs [and words] by Annika Norlin.

The album has been played over and over again (and again) since I imported it into my iTunes-library a small week ago. From the more up-beat efforts like "2008" and "Parenting Never Ends" to the more quiet songs like "Lund" this collection is a winner from start to finish. Wonderful short stories accompanied by brilliant melodies that immediately put a smile on my face. I give no guarantees, but I’m quite sure it would be able to do the job for you as well. This album will definitely figure in my top-10 albums of 2008.

HS at Wikipedia.

HS at MySpace.

Le Scaphandre et le Papillon

Last night I watched the film "Le Scaphandre et le papillon" (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) – and what a moving experience it was. The way the story is portrayed, the imagery, direction and the acting is magnificent. I have to admit I have a soft spot when it comes to films done in the French language, but as the director Julian Schnabel says in an interview (bonus on the disc), it wouldn’t have been correct (in any way) to make this French story that happened in France, in another language. (The script was originally written in English by Ronald Harwood.)

The film is based on a book by Jean-Dominique Bauby and depicts his own experiences after suffering a stroke which made him (almost) completely paralyzed; only his left eye was not affected. As the film commences only we (the audience), understand that behind the shell that has enveloped Bauby, his mind and memory are still working. Through vivid – and extremely effective – camera-work the audience only see what the main-character sees for about the 20 first minutes. Via Jean-Do’s perspective we experience his frustrations in not being able to respond to and communicate with doctors and other persons that come to see him at the hospital. Slowly he learns to communicate by aid of a specially composed alphabet – where letters are arranged in an order depending on the frequency they appear in words. By aid of a highly motivated and patient speech-therapist he slowly develops an ability to convey his thoughts.

An amazing story and amazing film making.

More:
Wikipedia – The Diving Bell and the Butterfly [the film]
Wikipedia – The Diving Bell and the Butterfly [the book]
IMDB – Le Scaphandre et le papillon [the film]

Cultural Update - May ’08

Been a while since my last post, but who cares? Thought I might add a little information, mostly cultural - as always. Music; well I have particularily enjoyed Gemma Hayes, The Hold Steady, Bonnie ’Prince’ Billy and Willard Grant Conspiracy these last few days. New findings the last couple of months include; The Ting Tings, Titus Andronicus, Vetiver, No Age, Le Loup...

Books lately have included Haruki Murakami’s "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World", John Ajvide Lindqvist’s "La Den Rette Komme Inn", Jørgen Norheim’s "Ingen Er Så Trygg I Fare" and at the moment I am in Margaret Atwood’s "The Blind Assassin" in a combination with re-visiting Lars Saabye Christensen’s "Bly".

I watched the new Indiana Jones-film Friday, and it is ok. No real big surprises though, everyone could probably understand....[warning: SPOILER]....when the young dude came along, that Indiana should have expected that at least one of his previous girlfriends (through the first three films) had to end up pregnant from fooling around, and that his son now would i.e. be riding a Harley while having a much more relaxed relationship to snakes than Henry Jones himself. Good two hours fun, a lot of action-sequences, though slightly more sci-fi than the three first flicks.

Apart from not updating my blog on a regular basis, I have lately been busy updating these pages, and also starting another blog containing pictures related to that domain.

Also; to download the new track (the first in eight years) from the highly recommended orchestra called Spain just go here.

On My Playlist Now + Recognition Overseas

MGMT’s "Time to pretend" is tickling in all the right places. So while enjoying tea, water, carrots, pears and such – this song is on heavy rotation in my current playlist. Their very danceable electric non-indie (they don’t want to be labeled an Indie-band, because quote "we will never end up owning a ranch or a castle by being an indie-band") is irresistible. Alongside Jason Isbell’s "Chicago Promenade" – picked from Uncut’s latest CD (Take 130), "Logistical Nightmare" by Taken By Cars, "Kite Song" from Rosie Thomas’ "These Friends of Mine", "A Compass Of The Light" by Baby Dee – MGMT is definitely the kaisers of my playlist these mid–February days of 2008.

Recently I’ve also learned that my albums of the year 2007 have been noticed overseas in Canada. Kill the Lights’ brilliant "Buffalo of Love" deserves all the credit they can get, so I am humble by the fact that my praise of their album is being appreciated with the words "Scandinavia has recognized!" I am also happy to read that their recent near-death-experience-with-a-moose ended in hugs all around.

Hva gjør de vanligvis?

Jeg undrer hva journalistene, som i disse dager bruker all sin arbeidstid på å skrive om Manuela Ramin Osmundsen, holder på med – sånn til vanlig altså? Vi er da ikke så mange som bor her oppe, så de fleste kjenner da hverandre.

Personlig tror jeg det finnes viktigere saker å bruke tiden sin på.


(Foto: Jarl Fr. Erichsen, sakset fra Aftenposten.no, 2008_02_14)

Ina 9 ans

Ina is 9 years old tomorrow 25 January 2008. I usually publish a greeting on her day – but as I will be travelling down to Zürich/Thalwil to celebrate the day with her tomorrow – I’ll do this now.

Happy birthday Ina!

Cultural Update #01-2008

Atonement; This film contains a lot of elements that appeal to me; the English countryside with beautiful, lush vegetation, ponds, creeks, gravel roads; a layered, rather complex story that holds more than what we initially see – and a great cast. The story grew, more due to subtle incidents, than by reason of what it is a part of – the actual film itself. It was moments of laughter too among the audience in the theatre, even though this compelling movie overall was a wistful, heartbreaking experience.

atone vb atoning, atoned to make amends (for sin or wrongdoing).
atonement n 1 something done to make amends for wrongdoing. 2 Christian theol the reconciliation of humankind with God through the sacrificial death of Christ. [Middle English at onement in harmony]

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I have finished a couple of books lately. "Luftslottet som sprengtes" by Stieg Larsson and "The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak. They both come recommended by me, but they undoubtedly belong to different genres within literature. Larsson’s book is a great page-turner within crime, both on the traditional level; dealing with violence - and politically, with criminal actions hidden in the shadows of a state-run system. Zusak’s story depicts a story about a girl growing up in Munich during the second world war, a story told by Death itself. And he actually comes across as more than just an unlikeable fellow, Death, even though he is generally remorseless. I guess he has to in his profession.

As always, I listen to a lot of music – and the one and only radio channel worth listening to here in Norway. Recent favourites of new albums are Ida "Lover’s Prayer and Sarah Perrotta "The Well".

Albums of 2007 - listed links

Listed links to each of the albums on my top-10 2007;
01: The National «Boxer»
02: Kill The Lights «Buffalo Of Love»
03: Wilco «Sky Blue Sky»
04: Plant/Krauss «Raising Sand»
05: Ola Podrida «Ola Podrida»
06: Kings Of Leon «Because Of The Times»
07: Tord Gustavsen Trio «Being There»
08: Bon Iver «For Emma, Forever Ago»
09: Feist «The Reminder»
10: Beirut «The Flying Club Cup»

Statistics: 4 album titles starting with the letter B; 5 albums containing 13 tracks; 8 of the represented albums are by bands with (mostly) male members of our species; 1 animal mentioned; 1 athlete; 3 words related to elevation; 2 names for people (names that are relatively normal in my country of origin); 1 object that can, or may not contain, liquid; 3 themes on the concept of time; 1 love; 1 colour ––– bla-bla-bla...

Also albums of 2007...

Even as I have just finished listing ten of the best albums released in 2007, there are many other records and artists that deserve a mention too. Through the past year I have thoroughly enjoyed music by The Weakerthans (Reunion Tour), Alaska In Winter (Dance Party In The Balkans), Bright Eyes (Cassadaga), Babyshambles (Shotter´s Nation), Band Of Horses (Cease To Begin), Will Stratton (What The Night Said), Project Jenny Project Jan (XOXOXOXOXO), Sam Amidon (All Is Well), Jonquil (Lions), Dinosaur Jr (Beyond), Kaada (Natural Born Star), Radiohead (In Rainbows), Superfamily (Warszawa), Yeasayer (All Hour Cymbals), M.I.A. (Kala), Aarktica (Matchless Years), Stars (In Our Bedroom After The War), Rufus Wainwright (Between My Legs), Jamie T (Panic Prevention), Sissy Wish (Beauties Never Die), Steve Earle (Washinton Square Serenade), Mark Olson (Salvation Blues), Revival (Horses Of War), Silje Nes (Ames Room)...

As if it mattered, they are all highly recommended by me.

"Alt du vet er det du virkelig eier".

Albums of 2007 - #1

Number 1: The National "Boxer"

Playlist, twelve tracks: 1. Fake Empire, 2. Mistaken For Strangers, 3. Brainy, 4. Squalor Victoria, 5. Green Gloves, 6. Slow Show, 7. Apartment Story, 8. Start A War, 9. Guest Room, 10. Racing Like A Pro, 11. Ada, 12. Gospel

"When Tindersticks have withdrawn to the back of the room, enjoying their own company, Matt Berninger & co comes forward. And we’re all better for it. Whereas Stuart Staples and his solemn Tindersticks are perfect allies when you’re merely up for drinking Scotch, The National provides whisky and beers, even occasionally encouraging your feet to move in rhythm. Yet, this is not average dance-music, but a set of strong musical favours. Wow...!"
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Released: May 22, 2007 by Beggars Banquet Records.

http://www.americanmary.com
http://www.myspace.com/thenational

Albums of 2007 - #2

Number 2: Kill The Lights "Buffalo Of Love"

Playlist, ten tracks: 1. 2 Sinister Gentlemen, 2. Skinny White Girls, 3. Orestes, 4. Arctic, At Dawn, 5. Lady Sniper, 6. Bombs, 7. You Took My Knife, 8. Palest Form Of Sabotage, 9. Secular Beginning, Hideous Mess, 10. Ceremony In The Basement

”This is pop fashioned the way rock would have done it. Guitars as introduction, guitars as follow-up; guitars all the way. It is extremely melodic, the coolest vocal on brilliant lines. The song-titles resemble short stories, and this whole album is an uplifting experience throughout.`Hey, Marcus! I have no need for bourgeois patience...´ `I’ll buy you a camera, and we’ll point it at the sky...´"
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Released: March 13, 2007 - on Maple Music Recordings.

Kill The Lights
www.myspace.com/killthelightsband

Albums of 2007 - #3

Number 3: Wilco "Sky Blue Sky"

Playlist, twelve tracks: 1. Either Way, 2. You Are My Face, 3. Impossible Germany, 4. Sky Blue Sky, 5. Side With The Seeds, 6. Shake It Off, 7. Please Be Patient With Me, 8. Hate It Here, 9. Leave Me (Like You Found Me), 10. Walken, 11. What Light, 12. On And On And On

"I like the way these songs are brought together by the sound of a full Band, the way it conveys a stroll in a quiet street, or stares out over the mountains; how it one moment visits snow-covered landscapes and in the next portrays sun-baked urban scenes. Music that dwells."
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Released; May 15, 2007 by Nonesuch Records.

http://www.wilcoworld.net

Albums of 2007 - #4

Number 4: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss "Raising Sand"

Playlist, thirteen tracks: 1. Rich Woman, 2. Killing The Blues, 3. Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us, 4. Polly Come Home, 5. Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On), 6. Through The Morning, Through The Night, 7. Please Read The Letter, 8. Trampled Rose, 9. Fortune Teller, 10. Stick With Me Baby, 11. Nothin’ , 12. Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson, 13. Your Long Journey

"Robert Plant and Alison Krauss is in harmony. You don’t need to be a fan of bluegrass, country, blues, americana or whatever genre you can imagine - you only have to like music. Class."
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Released October 23, 2007. Produced by T Bone Burnett.

More:
Robert Plant
Alison Krauss

http://www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com/site.php

Albums of 2007 - #5

Number 5: Ola Podrida "Ola Podrida"

Playlist, eleven tracks: 1. The New Science, 2. Jordanna, 3. Instead, 4. Cindy, 5. Photo Booth, 6. Run Off The Road, 7. Day At The Beach, 8. Lost And Found, 9. A Clouded View, 10. Pour Me Another, 11. Eastbound

"Firstly; I am not sure if I initially imagined this album to be more appropriate as a soundtrack than any other record I listen to. (As music often become movies to me.) However, as I have learned that David Wingo works as a film composer, perhaps his profession somehow shines through also on this album? Undoubtedly though; these are extremely fine songs, beautiful melodies and histories told with conviction. And if I was forced to choose; track no 6., Run Off The Road would have to be the soundtrack to my 2007."
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The album was released in the spring of 2007. I have seen little or almost no press about this artist in this corner of the world (Norway), so if an album ever deserved the term "hidden gem", this must be the one from last year.

Pitchforkmedia - "Ola Podrida":
"...variation on the Spanish term olla podrida, which refers specifically to a stew and generally to any sort of miscellany. Podrida itself means rotten, suggesting a dish made of ingredients unused in previous recipes..." – Stephen M. Deusner, May 4, 2007

http://www.myspace.com/olapodrida