Yesterday, I attended the 80th birthday celebration for the Norwegian composer organization NOPA (with every conceivable Norwegian songwriter and artist in the last 40 years present). On my table was an exclusive 5CD box set of various Norwegian hits and pop songs over the years -- one song each from 1937 to 2017, with an extra bonus CD.
Very impressive set. Not sure if it's ever getting released commercially?
Really good recordings of the works of one of today's finest composers. Symphony no. 1 is a little too aboard the Second Viennese School and pales in comparison to the beyond-mature 5th. I recommend this one, Penderecki is consistently interesting...and I should mention capable of raising serious hairs on the back one's neck.
First listen to new album by Swedish siblings First Aid Kit, "Ruins" and it's fairly dark gloomy stuff. Whereas their last album 4 years ago was a more upbeat, optimistic collection, a few relationships have ended in between (including with each other for a period) and it shows in the songs and lyrics. Still, the songs are good and it's a strong album.
First listen to new album by Swedish siblings First Aid Kit, "Ruins" and it's fairly dark gloomy stuff. Whereas their last album 4 years ago was a more upbeat, optimistic collection, a few relationships have ended in between (including with each other for a period) and it shows in the songs and lyrics. Still, the songs are good and it's a strong album.
That's our Thomas! Always trying to replicate that a-ha feeling!
The latest album from Sparks - Hippopotamus. A disc full of melodic and quirky songs (witty and literate, in the words of one reviewer), and a return to the more traditional guitar and drums backing rather than the symphonic style of the last few pure-Sparks albums, pure as opposed to the brilliant FFS supergroup collaboration.
Highlights include praise for the missionary position, a hesitant recognition of forgetting things as age creeps up on you, a plea not to waste God’s time with frivolous prayer (What the Hell is it this time?!) and the eponymous observation of things found in their swimming pool, all of which rhyme broadly with the river horse - including Titus Andronicus and a ‘58 microbus. May Ron and Russell live forever!
First listen to new album by Swedish siblings First Aid Kit, "Ruins" and it's fairly dark gloomy stuff. Whereas their last album 4 years ago was a more upbeat, optimistic collection, a few relationships have ended in between (including with each other for a period) and it shows in the songs and lyrics. Still, the songs are good and it's a strong album.
That's our Thomas! Always trying to replicate that a-ha feeling!
