2008 Woodie Awards
Sound Check
Richa Agarwal
Issue date: 11/12/04 Section: Arts & Features
It's time to focus on some things happening outside our country, and the music of Norwegian duo Kings of Convenience is certainly a start. The duet's 2001 debut, Quiet is the New Loud, established their affinity to acoustic sound and soft vocals. Released this past summer, the Kings' sophomore effort Riot on an Empty Street (Astralwerks) reminds us why we love quieter, melodic music. Indeed, the album titles speak for themselves.
There is no reason not to throw a riot on an empty street for this album - it's pretty much flawless. Eirik Glambek Boe and Erlend Oye sum up their own little act in the opening track 'Homesick' as they sing "I can't stop listening to the sound of two soft voices blended in perfection." Luckily, the aesthetic pleasure that the songs give off goes hand in hand with the maturity of the lyrics. The salesman depicted in 'Homesick' is searching for a tape that includes 'a song for someone who needs somewhere to long for' as he states 'homesick because I no longer know where home is.' Clearly 'Homesick' is that song for the rest of us - it almost brings us closer to the music because we are experiencing it as it happens.
The album isn't all about finding yourself though. In fact, you may find yourself practicing dance moves in preparation for your next Jug visit while listening to this album. Perhaps their most radio-friendly track, 'I'd Rather Dance With You' really does make you want to dance. If you can't come up with your own moves, it is vital that you check out their music video - Oye knows how to let his "hips do the talking." For those interested in this upbeat side of the Kings, may I suggest checking out Oye's solo efforts where he more fully pursues his love for what he calls dance music.
Ironically, 'I'd Rather Dance With You' follows the melancholy 'Love is No Big Truth' which states that "love is no big truth, driven by our genes, we are simple selfish beings, a symphony that's you, joyously awaking the ignorant and sleeping ... I'll never need it again." Actually, maybe it's not so ironic. It's got the same groovy feel to it as the following track, plus "I'd rather dance with you" isn't exactly the most romantic thing you could say when the phrase is actually followed by "than talk with you."
But back to the world of gentle ballads and soothing harmonies that is Riot ..., 'Misread' is another excellent track. The lyrics "How come no one told me, all throughout history, the loneliest people were the ones who always spoke the truth, the ones who made a difference, by withstanding indifference" are particularly moving. The album builds up to the most intense ballad of all - the closing track appropriately named 'The Build-Up.' The additional vocals that female singer Feist provides on this track, as well as 'Know-How,' really add to the beauty of the album.
Simply put, this album is pretty. If it wasn't previously acceptable to describe an album as "pretty," now it is. Maybe we should all form a riot blasting some quietly new louds on an empty street. Or maybe not, it's Hamilton, NY - of course it's snowing.
There is no reason not to throw a riot on an empty street for this album - it's pretty much flawless. Eirik Glambek Boe and Erlend Oye sum up their own little act in the opening track 'Homesick' as they sing "I can't stop listening to the sound of two soft voices blended in perfection." Luckily, the aesthetic pleasure that the songs give off goes hand in hand with the maturity of the lyrics. The salesman depicted in 'Homesick' is searching for a tape that includes 'a song for someone who needs somewhere to long for' as he states 'homesick because I no longer know where home is.' Clearly 'Homesick' is that song for the rest of us - it almost brings us closer to the music because we are experiencing it as it happens.
The album isn't all about finding yourself though. In fact, you may find yourself practicing dance moves in preparation for your next Jug visit while listening to this album. Perhaps their most radio-friendly track, 'I'd Rather Dance With You' really does make you want to dance. If you can't come up with your own moves, it is vital that you check out their music video - Oye knows how to let his "hips do the talking." For those interested in this upbeat side of the Kings, may I suggest checking out Oye's solo efforts where he more fully pursues his love for what he calls dance music.
Ironically, 'I'd Rather Dance With You' follows the melancholy 'Love is No Big Truth' which states that "love is no big truth, driven by our genes, we are simple selfish beings, a symphony that's you, joyously awaking the ignorant and sleeping ... I'll never need it again." Actually, maybe it's not so ironic. It's got the same groovy feel to it as the following track, plus "I'd rather dance with you" isn't exactly the most romantic thing you could say when the phrase is actually followed by "than talk with you."
But back to the world of gentle ballads and soothing harmonies that is Riot ..., 'Misread' is another excellent track. The lyrics "How come no one told me, all throughout history, the loneliest people were the ones who always spoke the truth, the ones who made a difference, by withstanding indifference" are particularly moving. The album builds up to the most intense ballad of all - the closing track appropriately named 'The Build-Up.' The additional vocals that female singer Feist provides on this track, as well as 'Know-How,' really add to the beauty of the album.
Simply put, this album is pretty. If it wasn't previously acceptable to describe an album as "pretty," now it is. Maybe we should all form a riot blasting some quietly new louds on an empty street. Or maybe not, it's Hamilton, NY - of course it's snowing.