Efterklang is a band whose name can be translated from their native-tongue (Danish) to something like "after-noise" or "reverberation." It's fitting when you consider that their sound is similar to that of Sigur Ros but is a bit more electronic. It swells and flows as gently as you would expect and just like the Icelandic group named above their lyrics are fairly unintelligible. That just adds to the mystery and the otherworldly feelings their music conjures within.
While Efterklang presents a picture of crystalline beauty, Akron/Family has a different take on what is beautiful. And just to clarify, they are not from Akron (rather Brooklyn) and they are not really a family. In looking for words I could use to describe their music I kept coming back to modernist-Americana. The music is acoustic, organic, and (dare I say) post-rock-folk-rock. Stylus Magazine called their debut full-length "an absolute (but glorious) wreck of false starts, abandoned experiments, fractured faux-anthemic folk-rock and somewhat-fettered-improvisation. It is free-associating fantasy, musically and lyrically, pure carnival; deeply flawed; precious and self-mocking, glowing-via-the-glum. Viva the flaws, though." I couldn't have said it any better.
The record is full of skipped beats, wrong notes, and off-key vocals. The beauty (however) is in the fact that Akron/Family doesn't hide any of it. I actually think they may be laughing at us all.
Thanks to our good friend Jacob for the wonderful post giving me some love. I'm sending it right back. Your daughter is beautiful and taking good pictures (see previous post) of her is really easy becuase of it.
MP3 | Efterklang - Step Aside Tripper
MP3 | Akron/Family - Running, Returning ST
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
4 Comments ↓
I like the beat but not what's on top of it. That is my simple assessment of Efterklang.
Cool. That's fine with me. Maybe you need to hear the whole album. Thanks for keeping the comments alive!
I need to start spell checking.
Hey man, great blog, great selections... I like the past couple posts and will be subscribing to your newsfeed so I won't miss any coming up :)
Onward: If you or anyone has any LIVE AKRON/FAMILY I will trade something really good for a copy!!!! I saw them a couple weeks ago and while I thought the album was good, they totally crushed me live... Amazing!! If anyone reads this and has some live tracks, please mail me at: steady at gmail dot com
Thanks!
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