TRIPPER

"Tripper" is the debut full-length studio album by Danish music artist Efterklang. The album was released through The Leaf Label in October 2004. Efterklang were formed in late 2000 in Copenhagen and released the "Springer" EP in 2003. The EP was originally independently released, but saw a label re-release through The Leaf Label in 2005.

Stylistically the music on "Tripper" is a combination of organic sounding instrumentation (including string arrangements), subtle male and female vocals, and electronic beats. The beats remind me a bit of the beats on Björk´s "Vespertine (2001)" album. Dry minimalistic electronic beats and rhythmic sounds and effects. The first time I listened to the album, I listened to it on my car stereo and I had to take the CD out to see if it was scratched because some of the beats and effects make it sound like that. While that is an odd and at times unpleasant sound effect, it´s still a bit intriguing too. The subtle and often unison male and female vocals are soothing but also a bit anonymous/monotone in the end. It´s generally very pleasant atmospheric music though, and although I wouldn´t say Efterklang hit something completely unique here, they combine known elements into something intriguing.

The musicianship is excellent. Good vocal performances and great interplay between the musicians. There are several guest musicians and singers on the album who add great variation and spice to the music. "Tripper" also features a warm, organic, and pleasant sounding production, which suits the material well, so upon conclusion it´s a pretty strong debut album by Efterklang. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

My second release from this Danish band I have added to my "watch list" for the next years.

This is their first proper studio album. The music is a sort of post rock, but in a Scandinavian way. The mood is sad and downtuned like the band carries the weight of all their sins on their shoulders. A typical Scandinavian trait transferred to the music scene in this area. The downtuned sound also goes for the male and female vocals. Very downtuned and more like instruments underlining the other instruments and mood than vocals in a traditional sense. Kind of unnerving, really. Some of the music is also in the fortissimo tradition where you have insane fast pulses of music on the top of a slow rhythm. This too is unnerving bleak music. The overall mood and sound is bleak in other words. Welcome to the bleak Scandinavia.

The quality of the music is good throughout. The lack of some really great tunes being it's undoing. A familiar complaint from myself, but that is how I judge music. But there is plenty of good stuff here to keep Efterklang on my watch list forever. This band has something good going for them although this album is a bit underwhelming.

3 stars