ABSORBED IN DREAMS AND YEARNING REVIEW BY LARS GRILL NIELSEN JULY 2006
I've
already got two Nattefrost releases, but when I first held Absorbed in dreams
and yearning in my hands, I could see that it was radically different from the
previous releases. Absorbed had been professionally produced which could be seen
in both artwork and print, really nice and something that suits the music.
Nattefrost
is ambient music, however I believe this new album to be less ambient than the
others. For example the track Visions of a pale moon really stands out. Also the
increased use of drum machine and vocals makes this album appear more mature
than previous Nattefrost music. I know that Nattefrost has used drum machines
before, but on this album it has been done very gently, ie.it doesn't disturb
the music in any way.
These
improvements to the music show that Nattefrost evolves musically, and already
now I'm looking forward to a next release. But let's enjoy this one first, we
wouldn't want Nattefrost to rush as that wouldn't be any good to the music.
The
first track on the album, The Battle that lasted eternally, is a long one and I
think it's a shame it's been placed as the initial track. Although it's a nice
track, it doesn't change much during the almost ten minutes. There is a slight
increase of intensity towards the end however. The melody is great but it tends
to become suppressed by the lack of variation as the track progresses. It would
have suited the album better to have placed it later.
The
melody parts are more visible in Where the gods are watching than in The Battle
that lasted eternally, something I prefer. I quite like the drum machine which
comes to life in the middle of the track. It makes the second half more upbeat,
giving a track really worth listening to.
Through
clear and frosty nights is another long track, but it's diversity and choices of
sounds (and a great drum machine) makes this track a lot more interesting than
The battle that lasted eternally. It's got great melody parts, very well played
and the end is very light and sweet, something rather unusual for Nattefrost,
but nevertheless great to hear.
Visions
of a pale moon presents some of the most radical changes in Nattefrost's music.
It is so much different from anything else by Nattefrost, very refreshing and
one of the best tracks on the album. This track also introduces a more
sophisticated use of vocals.
Valhal
is the longest track on the album and perhaps also the best of the long tracks.
It's got great diversity and changes of mood, and it's another track in which
Nattefrost dares to use vocals, however very sparse. The vocals suit the track.
Descending
from the stars is a nice and short track which is placed very cleverly between
two very long ones. It's quite light with a good melody, and the major part of
the track has a nice tempo. Only the first and last short parts are more slow
and atmospheric.
The
title track, Absorbed in dreams and yearning, is perhaps the most ambient. What
gives this track atmosphere is the melody which is played with a very vintage
sound. The mixture of vintage and new sounds is not unique, but on this track I
think they really complement each other.
The
northern lights is also very atmospheric and with the use of gentle vocals. Not
much happens during the track but this doesn't make it any worse as there are
slight changes along the way. It's been placed as the last track on the album,
something I can only agree with. It works tremendously well as an album outro.
Being the perhaps best Nattefrost album to date, there is no reason for not getting hold of the older ones. They all represent good music, and it's nice to hear how the music of Nattefrost has evolved over the years. It's not possible in words to describe how the music sounds, so if you haven't already bought this album, I suggest you do it now because it's a real pleasure to listen to.
5/6