Back in 2004, Iceland's Seabear, fronted by 24 year old Sindri Mar Sigfusson, quietly released a mellow little alt/folk EP called Singing Arc [downloadable in its entirety here]. With its delicate melodies and Sigfusson's soothing vocals, Singing Arc gently hinted at a dreamworld inhabited by spirits and faeries.
Seabear's debut full-length, The Ghost That Carried Us Away [buy], brings that dreamworld---fully realized---right to your speakers.
The charming opener, Good Morning Scarecrow, immediately plants the listener in a sonic universe of hushed tones and delicate beauty.
As the album unfolds, tracks like Libraries and Hospital Bed flicker and flirt with an innocent and childlike carelessness.
An assortment of instruments (piano, harmonica, violin, slide guitar, lapsteel, flugelhorn, upright bass) are conservatively sprinkled throughout the songs --- never getting in the way of the gorgeous melodies or Sigfusson's fragile vocals.
The album reaches its climax with, I Sing, I Swim, a playful example of glorious lo-fi/chamber pop --- think Belle and Sebastian and Sufjan Stevens.
Seashell, another album highlight, starts off like a lovely and forgotten Nick Drake b-side --- until it swells at the 2 minute 12 second mark into a shy, little, orchestral indie-pop chorus that is absolutely breathtaking.
A perfect wintertime album, The Ghost That Carried Us Away will be on repeat for months.
Seabear: Midori Green [from the Singing Arc EP] mp3
Seabear: I Sing, I Swim mp3
Seabear: Seashell mp3
Saturday, December 29, 2007
My Big Album Review Strikes Again. Seabear: The Ghost That Carried Us Away
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