Efterklang - Magic Chairs
Danish band Efterklang has been experimenting with styles and arrangements for ten years and their latest album 'Magic Chairs' sees them at their most accessible. The album is a clear and fresh sounding take on modern styles and is made more successful by some very intricate arrangements.
The Casper Clausen composed album opener 'Modern Drift' is such an addictive song. The layered orchestral sounds mixed with the intermittent synths, clear percussion and superb vocals works so well on every level. On the first listen, the sound is simple but with more plays you can hear the complexities of the melodies and crystal clear rhythm.
The simplistic delivery continues with 'Alike'; a sad sounding pop song with some military style drums and moody brass backing. The 'pop' feel is carried on with 'I Was Playing Drums', though there are some complex off beat drums and bass which keep the interest throughout. This song wouldn't be out of place in the mid eighties, the choral arrangement sounding very similar to China Crisis in their heyday.
'Raincoats' has some very retro harmonies backing another great melodic vocal performance. Moody, yet cheerful, the understated layers are absorbing. The chorus is very like early Steely Dan in delivery; complex, yet simple, the sound has you hooked.
The layered chanting and understated guitar riff over an almost Afro drum rhythm on 'Harmonics' is very clever. There are some very quiet moments where the vocals are backed by complex harmonies but it always returns to the never to be forgotten, foot tapping rhythms.
Big choral and orchestral sounds introduce 'Full Moon'. This is a song that, with 'Modern Drift', stands out from the others. It has intelligent vocal and choral arrangements with some almost off-tempo percussion. It's melancholic, dramatic and pleasing all at the same time. How do they manage that?
'The Soft Beating' is stripped down to the bones at first. The moody vocals and backing are gentle and the song drifts along in a soporific mood. The mood is changed with the upbeat drums of 'Scandinavian Love'. The song has a quirky rhythm that backs another memorable vocal performance.
Classical style piano introduces 'Mirror Mirror'. The complex vocals and harmonies are joined by an almost folk rhythm. The drifting strings add to the complexities and mood, the result being a mixture of modern Gaelic, pop and folk. The album closes with much quieter and seemingly stripped down 'Natural Tune'. A duet delivered over the now familiar strings and simplistic percussion. This song alone nicely sums up the album .
The album sounds fresh and clear and rewards the listener time after time. There are many highlights to be found, particularly 'Modern Drift'. This is a song that stands out on its own; it's so memorable in its simplicity, a future classic.