'Falling Slowly'... asleep
If you’re fed up of ballads, don’t bother reading any further, because you’re not going to like this. Glen Hansard, former frontman of Irish band The Frames duets here with Czech singer/pianist Marketa Irglova on this song, written for the movie ‘Once’. Which happens to be a movie about a young Irish singer and his friendship with a Czech immigrant. Hmmm, wonder how they came up with that one?
‘Falling Slowly’ is a typical yearning ballad lacking any originality or distinctiveness. In fact, it’s perfect film music, if you’re planning on concentrating on the film. Not that the musicianship isn’t excellent and Hansard and Irglova perfectly paired as vocalists and musicians. It just lacks a certain spark.
B-side ‘Lies’ is another slow ballad with Hansard on lead vocals with Irglova whispering in the background. In fact, if you weren’t paying attention, you could mistake it for a continuation of ‘Falling Slowly’. That said, the accompanying violin complements the vocals perfectly. If you like heartfelt ponderous songs, this is for you. Other than that, it will only annoy you. Or send you to sleep.