New Vibrations: Swell Season
Strict Joy
From the very first moments of Strict Joy, the new album from The Swell Season, the sound is unlike anything the group has done before.
The duo of Glen Hansard, former frontman of Dublin's The Frames, and Czech singer-songwriter Marketa Irglova has been evolving for some time now. The two first met when The Frames were touring through Irglova's hometown.
Since then, the two have been constantly connected in some fashion. Many people are familiar with their collaboration in the film "Once," which won the Academy Award for Best Song.
The winning tune, titled "Falling Slowly," had actually been written and performed before the making of the film, but its presence on the big screen immediately launched the two into stardom.
Now two years removed from the film, the duo has continued to work together, collaborating with members of The Frames, in addition to Bertrand Galen and Marja Tuhkanen, cellist and violinist respectively, who worked on Strict Joy as well.
In the midst of beginning and ending an off-screen romance, the two core artists have remained close friends and partners.
Most fans familiar with this group are well acquainted with the raw, lyrical ballads consisting of piano and acoustic guitar that made these two famous. However, in the first 15 seconds of the first song, "Low Rising," the band is already revolutionizing its sound.
An introduction of electric guitar, cello and horns fades to acoustic guitar and tambourine, giving the impression that the band was making a distinct effort to surprise its listeners.
After the first chorus, the sweet, sliding violin makes an appearance. Already, this group has taken great leaps to create a deeper, more intricate sound.
The band does, however, stick to its thematic roots. Just as the film "Once" portrayed the visceral connections of love and music, The Swell Season's new album deals with love and relationships as only two lovers can.
The layers of linkage between this duo, both romantic and platonic, lend an obvious resonance and strength to each line.
The third song, "In These Arms," is a return to familiar ground. It is a slow, simple ballad with the refrain, "Maybe I was born to hold you in these arms," leading the way in the exploration of love's fickle nature.
Almost every song centers around Hansard and his old and beautifully worn guitar. Irglova for the most part provides background and texture to Hansard's vocals; however, she takes the lead on "Fantasy Man," a welcome change-up midway through the album.
Although it is reassuring to know that this duo is taking great steps in expanding its musical repertoire, the songs are most powerful when stripped down to their essence: Glen Hansard singing his heartache with his beat-up guitar.
The duo of Glen Hansard, former frontman of Dublin's The Frames, and Czech singer-songwriter Marketa Irglova has been evolving for some time now. The two first met when The Frames were touring through Irglova's hometown.
Since then, the two have been constantly connected in some fashion. Many people are familiar with their collaboration in the film "Once," which won the Academy Award for Best Song.
The winning tune, titled "Falling Slowly," had actually been written and performed before the making of the film, but its presence on the big screen immediately launched the two into stardom.
Now two years removed from the film, the duo has continued to work together, collaborating with members of The Frames, in addition to Bertrand Galen and Marja Tuhkanen, cellist and violinist respectively, who worked on Strict Joy as well.
In the midst of beginning and ending an off-screen romance, the two core artists have remained close friends and partners.
Most fans familiar with this group are well acquainted with the raw, lyrical ballads consisting of piano and acoustic guitar that made these two famous. However, in the first 15 seconds of the first song, "Low Rising," the band is already revolutionizing its sound.
An introduction of electric guitar, cello and horns fades to acoustic guitar and tambourine, giving the impression that the band was making a distinct effort to surprise its listeners.
After the first chorus, the sweet, sliding violin makes an appearance. Already, this group has taken great leaps to create a deeper, more intricate sound.
The band does, however, stick to its thematic roots. Just as the film "Once" portrayed the visceral connections of love and music, The Swell Season's new album deals with love and relationships as only two lovers can.
The layers of linkage between this duo, both romantic and platonic, lend an obvious resonance and strength to each line.
The third song, "In These Arms," is a return to familiar ground. It is a slow, simple ballad with the refrain, "Maybe I was born to hold you in these arms," leading the way in the exploration of love's fickle nature.
Almost every song centers around Hansard and his old and beautifully worn guitar. Irglova for the most part provides background and texture to Hansard's vocals; however, she takes the lead on "Fantasy Man," a welcome change-up midway through the album.
Although it is reassuring to know that this duo is taking great steps in expanding its musical repertoire, the songs are most powerful when stripped down to their essence: Glen Hansard singing his heartache with his beat-up guitar.
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