Efterklang

When I bought Efterklang's 2004 debut album "Tripper", I at first thought Denmark had found an answer to Iceland's Sigur Ros. Further investigation of the CD revealed, this septet had little in common with them, apart from sharing the same continent. The sounds of "Tripper" were more experimental, less calculated, a little more free in other words. There was no record label pressure, such as Geffen urging Sigur Ros to record the poppy "Takk". "Tripper" featured no fewer than 34 musicians, and provided a sound that no other band has come close to matching.

2007 will be even more productive with an ep due out, which will then be followed by a full-length album. Mark April 2nd in your diaries (or PDA's), it will see the release of a limited (4500 cd's, 1200 vinyl) ep entitled "Under Giant Trees". Available through Leaf and the band's own label, Rumraket, this ep looks set to explore and expand on the musical themes of "Tripper". There's a certain amount of buzz around Efterklang, with several blogs posting about them. So you may have already came across the mp3 of the lead track of the ep. But if you haven't, "Towards The Bare Hill" is well worth a listen. Starting nt unlike labelmate Colleen, almost tribal sounding percussion pushes its way across the mix with some electronic production trickery. Authentic chanting in their native language soon veers this track into unchartered territory. Along with some accordian and brass brand instrumentation, it resembles a Scandinavian version of A Hawk and a Hacksaw.

I will say it is difficult to make sense of it after just a few listens. However, some of my favourite songs have panned out this way. Give this a chance, I am completely hooked. The artwork above, by Nan Na Hvass, is equally impressive.

"Towards The Bare Hill" mp3 - Efterklang