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The Black Heart Procession/Solbakken, "In the Fishtank 11"
Konkurrent
In the latest installment in this series from Konkurrent, these twobands who have shared the stage at various shows since 1998 attempt tocapture a common magic, and there are no outstanding blemishes as faras I can hear. Very often collaborations between bands have thepotential to backfire in the worst way, where the bands have absolutelyno way of working with each other to produce anything that is at allworthwhile listening. These two are a perfect fit, seemingly bringingout the best in each other, and challenging each other in areas theother is not used to working. In this setting, they feed off of eachother, making huge strides and approaching a transcendental music thatis neither group as well as both of them. Most of the tracks feature afluid piano line and the very capable vocals of Pall, who even thoughmay have been short on lyrical ideas, or so it seems, still carrieshimself with a staid confidence in his voice and words. Violins accentthe proceedings here and there, instantly adding a spooky or sadquality to any song they touch, and the female vocals on the firsttrack are a welcome addition, even though the voice is not to be heardanywhere else on the CD. "Dog Song" is a bit silly, and thankfully isthe shortest track, but even it has its moments of complete endearment.The centerpiece and most amazing track, though, representative of whatthese two groups can accomplish together, is the nigh-eleven-minute"Things Go on With Mistakes." It's a steady rhythm guitar and theviolin, then western-style guitar bends, then the voice of Pall enterswith the drums, then the piano joins in, in a fluid progression andaddition from one element to the next. That's pretty much it, not verymuch variation in the melody, but small nuances and a build-up thendissolution of energy make it absolutely captivating. It is the onetrack I will be putting on my iPod, and the one track I listened toagain and again. Where the other songs certainly have aspects worthlistening to, especially the closing song "Your Cave," "Mistakes" isreason alone to listen to this release. It utterly destroyed me.
In the latest installment in this series from Konkurrent, these twobands who have shared the stage at various shows since 1998 attempt tocapture a common magic, and there are no outstanding blemishes as faras I can hear. Very often collaborations between bands have thepotential to backfire in the worst way, where the bands have absolutelyno way of working with each other to produce anything that is at allworthwhile listening. These two are a perfect fit, seemingly bringingout the best in each other, and challenging each other in areas theother is not used to working. In this setting, they feed off of eachother, making huge strides and approaching a transcendental music thatis neither group as well as both of them. Most of the tracks feature afluid piano line and the very capable vocals of Pall, who even thoughmay have been short on lyrical ideas, or so it seems, still carrieshimself with a staid confidence in his voice and words. Violins accentthe proceedings here and there, instantly adding a spooky or sadquality to any song they touch, and the female vocals on the firsttrack are a welcome addition, even though the voice is not to be heardanywhere else on the CD. "Dog Song" is a bit silly, and thankfully isthe shortest track, but even it has its moments of complete endearment.The centerpiece and most amazing track, though, representative of whatthese two groups can accomplish together, is the nigh-eleven-minute"Things Go on With Mistakes." It's a steady rhythm guitar and theviolin, then western-style guitar bends, then the voice of Pall enterswith the drums, then the piano joins in, in a fluid progression andaddition from one element to the next. That's pretty much it, not verymuch variation in the melody, but small nuances and a build-up thendissolution of energy make it absolutely captivating. It is the onetrack I will be putting on my iPod, and the one track I listened toagain and again. Where the other songs certainly have aspects worthlistening to, especially the closing song "Your Cave," "Mistakes" isreason alone to listen to this release. It utterly destroyed me.
