HER NAME IS CALLA

This is another single release by UK post-rock band Her Name is Calla, a band I've been listening from 3 years, whose music is worth sharing. "The Birds of Chernobyl Tour Single" was released back in 2011, containing 2 songs that make a total time of 14 minutes. "Predator" is the opener, which starts with acoustic guitar and an odd male voice, but seconds later it totally changes. Several instruments can be heard, percussion, harmonica, a banjo (or at least a banjo-like guitar) and some strings that produce an orchestral-like background. After three minutes it slows down, seems the song is being rebuilt, new atmospheres and sounds are added. In the end, I think this is a pretty experimental track, which shows the quality of this talented band.

"The Birds of Chernobyl" starts with some gunshots that give us the perception of being in a war. Then some soundscapes are being added, but the gunshots don't cease, I imagine someone on a coma, in another mental dimension, thinking of the past and surrendering to the end. After three minutes, a kind of musical box (a toy) sounds, and that can be linked with the person in coma, which will die soon and a new life, a new child will be born.

Nice experimental EP, a proof that Her Name is Calla is a band that can surprise us from song to song.

Enjoy it!

The other track is "Lincoln", a more atmospheric piece with a kind of somber background made by keyboards while vocals sing. While the seconds pass, the intensity increases, maybe it's not easy to notice it, but it happens. Sadly, the song does not explodes, I mean, there is not a memorable moment that one could keep.

I like a lot Her Name is Calla, their music can be listened/downloaded via Bandcamp, so it is a new chance for you to know new interesting bands. Anyway, this is not my favorite release from them, I think they have better offerings.

Enjoy it!

It opens with "Long Grass", a nice acoustic guitar-piano-voice composition in which the singer adds a delicious disarming flavor. What I like of this song is that in moments all of a sudden they add strings that produce different nuances, making it much more interesting. The last two minutes are more emotional, I really like them. The following track is "A Sleeper", which is very different from the first one. Here we can hear people clapping and singing in group, it is like an indie joyful track, whose vocal part might remind you of some old post rock themes. The late addition of strings makes it a better piece as well.

Finally "The White and the Skin". This is another short and melancholic piece where acoustic guitar leads and male voice accompanies. What I like from it is that the intensity is increasing and also decreasing while the seconds pass, it is full of changes, but with a clear structure. The 3 tracks of this EP are pretty nice, they talk about the kind of music Her Name is Calla provides, though in the upcoming releases their direction might have changed. I invite you to listen to them in Bandcamp, you will have a nice time. My final grade, 2 stars, just a short EP.

And though it is always great to start listening to a band with a studio album, sometimes it is nice to give a spin to the EPs or singles that were previously released. In this case, "Maw" is a 3-song release with two short tracks and one longer. It was released in 2011 and you can listen to it through their Bandcamp.

The first track is "Maw" and I will be honest, the guitar sound reminded me a lot of Radiohead, in particular to the "Optimistic" song. The rhythm might be alike, but anyway the sound is not the same. After one minute and a half the music makes an explosion, more intensity is given to the listener. So actually the sound in this track is not that post- rockish after all. "The Beat that my Heart Skipped" really contrasts with the starter track. The sound is much softer, like an indie ballad. The voice is nice but I admit is not really memorable, and musically the song is good, with a Talk Talk meets Bark Pyschosis feeling in some moments.

The last and longest track is "Dreamland" with almost 12 minutes of interesting music that slowly starts but is never boring. The different textures created by the instruments, along with the voice, produce a kind of somber but at the same time bright atmosphere. After two minutes the mood changes and tension can be perceived. Later it starts again with some distant sounds, it is like the motion picture soundtrack of an old film. Later vocals reappear and the atmosphere is much more emotional, I really like it. Minutes later the song returns to its original form, with acoustic guitar, a nice melodic voice and a soft sound. Very nice composition!

In three songs we could hear 3 different faces of Her Name is Calla, here I'll stay with the latter. My final grade will be 3 stars.

Enjoy it!

I was attracted by the name of the band, so without knowing their history and their music, I went to their bandcamp site and download this single along with a live album; both are for free. What I found here in "Hideous Box" were three tracks of soft post rock, with classical and ethereal roots. Here we can have twelve minutes of music, only a slice of their work.

"Hideous Box" is also the name of the first track. It has a soft but dark atmosphere created by vocals, drums and strings. The cymbals never cease, but there are moments where the music is even calmer, but again, with that inherent dark atmosphere. After three minutes a trumpet appears, and later keyboards making a background. You need to be in the mood to receive this track, otherwise you may get bored. I liked it.

"With Eyes So Full of Sparks of Love" is a short track with only 1:33 minute length. Acoustic guitar and male vocals in the first moment; later piano appears in a delicate way and complements the piece. "The Good Book" is the longest of this single and the one that finishes it. This one is the most alike to older and classic post rock acts such as A Silver Mt. Zion, or even Rachel's. It is slow, beautifully sorrowful, with fantastic piano notes. An atmosphere is created and later some whispers appear, these things can be better appreciated with good headphones.

The music is good without a doubt, it is only a taste of Her Name is Calla, however, it is always better to listen to full-length albums, something I must do right away with them. Meanwhile, as I use, I will rate this single with two stars.

Enjoy it!