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Post by MartinT on Jan 17, 2021 13:47:42 GMT
Fever RayFever Ray is the nom de plume of Karin Dreijer, a rather kookie Swedish singer who was once half of The Knife, with her brother. When I was scouting for my next Album Choice, it didn't take long for my statistics to show that I've played this album pretty much more than anything else in the last year. The reason why, for me, is simple. Every single one of these songs has merit and, what's more, draws me into her soundworld. She alternates between an unsettling monotonal chant and a more grating normal voice, albeit full of character. If you've never heard of her, she is probably best known for the theme song for the TV drama series Vikings, If I Had a Heart, which is the first track on the album. Her music has also featured in Dark, the brilliant German TV series. The best of a superb set of songs for me is probably Keep the Streets Empty for Me, but I hardly need pick any single one. I am very aware that she is extreme Marmite and I guess the voting scores will reflect that. Please give the album a listen and let me know if you agree with me, or if (I'm thinking of Mike) you react rather violently towards it! Play it loud, the recording is worth it!  open.qobuz.com/track/19772684
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Post by ChrisB on Jan 17, 2021 15:24:23 GMT
Thanks, I'll play this next.
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Post by rfan8312 on Jan 18, 2021 6:52:20 GMT
Holy crap I just heard 'If I Had A Heart'. That is quite cool. Will need more listens but theres something atmospheric happening here.
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Post by John on Jan 18, 2021 8:33:56 GMT
I will have a listen sometime this week Martin and report back
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Post by ChrisB on Jan 18, 2021 9:28:29 GMT
I played it yesterday and enjoyed it, but I'm not sure that it's something I would play more than a couple of times. The dark moody atmosphere reminded me of some Dead Can Dance. Having seen all of 'Vikings' including the recent final series, I know the first track well and it was great to hear it on a proper system.
Will withold my vote to allow another listen.
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Post by julesd68 on Jan 19, 2021 13:51:08 GMT
I can certainly see the appeal of this.
The production is very 80's influenced, which I like a lot - for example Dry and Dusty has a distinctly Depeche Mode vibe.
I'm also detecting a bit of Japanese electronic esoterica with a Ryuichi Sakamoto flavour or indeed David Sylvian's 'Japan'.
When I Grow Up would be my favourite tune on first listen.
Would certainly like to unleash this on the big rig for full effect and am sure it will repay repeat listening.
Nice one Martin.
4/5 Surprisingly Interesting.
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Post by ChrisB on Jan 19, 2021 14:43:09 GMT
Playing again now, for the second time today. Yes, I did enjoy it a fair bit. As I said above, I can't see it being my most frequently played album of 2021, though.
I give it a 4/5.
It lost a half point for the first verse of 'When I grow up' for perpetuating the myth put about by Monty Python that my chosen profession is entirely comprised of cross dressers...
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Post by John on Jan 19, 2021 15:06:13 GMT
Like Kate Bush and Bjork she has own ecentric style
I like the first track and the album is well recorded but it just doesn't really grab my attention Okay for background music.
Would i listen to this again, not really. I agree with Jules it at times has a 80s feel to it but electronics 80s which just leaves me a bit cold.
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Post by julesd68 on Jan 19, 2021 15:23:51 GMT
LOL - the first track probably my least favourite!
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Post by MartinT on Jan 19, 2021 16:05:54 GMT
Thanks, everyone.
I did say it was Marmite.
Honestly: those are better scores than I was expecting!
Still, Mike hasn't voted yet...
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Post by Slinger on Jan 19, 2021 16:22:08 GMT
Or me.
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Post by MartinT on Jan 19, 2021 17:39:40 GMT
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Post by John on Jan 19, 2021 17:51:12 GMT
LOL - the first track probably my least favourite! I like the darkness of it and being a fan of Vikings helps me |
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Post by Slinger on Jan 19, 2021 21:12:24 GMT
Tell me I'm not the only one who looked at that album cover for the first time and thought, "Ozzy Osbourne?"
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Post by MartinT on Jan 19, 2021 21:22:40 GMT
Hah!
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Post by Slinger on Jan 19, 2021 21:55:14 GMT
But you cant unsee it now, can you?  I liked the first track, If I Had A Heart, lots -- there was some very satisfying " thudding" going on. The rest was, I thought, rather average. Nothing stood out, nothing "grabbed me" it just played on until it finished. One track ( I think it was te second-or-third-to last, suddenly reminded me of the intro to Ultravox's "Vienna." Sadly, it reminded me of that for the duration of the song. 3/ 5
I'd listen to track 1 again, but not the rest of the album. Are there any albums that sound like the first track? |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 19, 2021 22:16:07 GMT
I'd listen to track 1 again, but not the rest of the album. Are there any albums that sound like the first track? The rest of it! Her follow-up album is slightly different as are those by The Knife (I like Silent Shout), but the alternating chant/singing remains a part of her make-up. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jan 20, 2021 11:41:08 GMT
In my long queue
Female vocal. Apprehension.....
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Post by MartinT on Jan 20, 2021 12:29:51 GMT
Female vocal. Apprehension..... Take a chill pill before listening...  |
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Post by ajski2fly on Jan 20, 2021 16:49:14 GMT
This is I love Marmite one for me, in other words feverishly good, thanks for this one Martin.
There is another artist I will save up for my next Album selection which I think Martin and others will enjoy, in a similar vain.
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