Owen Pallett – Heartland
Owen Pallett used to be known as Final Fantasy, for whatever (likely boring legal) reasons, he is now releasing (& rereleasing previous) music under his birth name.
Owen’s third CD, Heartland was released on January 11 2010, to instant critical success. It won a best new music award on pitchfork, as well as scores of 90% on several blogs.
He has a completely unique sound, using sequencers to loop sounds he has created, whether basic percussion made through tapping his violin or plucked violin for rhythm, which is backed up by a basic drum machine. This is then complimented by Owen’s passionate singing, and skilled violin over the top.
Heartland has a common theme throughout, all the songs based on Owen’s narrative to a fictional ultra violent farmer called Lewis. Concept albums are very much in fashion at the moment, but often put artistic intentions above quality of the music. On heartland, these two aspects are combined perfectly.
The 2 songs here are quite different.
Midnight Detectives is the first song on the CD. It starts off slowly and simply, building with the multiple layers, before moving into an almost classical section towards the end of the song.
Lewis Takes Action, is a more poppy song, all the sounds fit together perfectly, and Owens skills at playing complex violin pieces while singing over top make it a delight to listen to.
Have a listen, buy the CD, listen, and then listen some more.
Each listen through the disk reveals more hidden gems, ensuring this will be a CD I will return to again and again.
Owen Pallett Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/owenpallettmusic
Website: http://www.owenpalletteternal.com/
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