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DVDfever.co.uk – The Deer Tracks: Aurora CD reviewElly Roberts reviews
Despotz Records
- Released: Out now
- Rating: 8/10
If Aurora is an attempt for world domination then its failed miserably.
If its an attempt to make beautiful music, its a winner.
Aurora, as we all know, is an astronomical term for either the northern or southern polar lights which take place in the ionosphere. Its one of the most amazing sights our world has to offer.In audio terms, this is probably the closest youre going to get to matching it.
Ok, so The Deer Tracks dont exactly live anywhere near the polar region. They reside in Galve on the central east coast of Sweden near the Baltic Sea.If youre planning to visit to northern most parts of Sweden or Norway, (Lap Land), this CD would make a wonderful accompaniment.
Duo David Lehnberg and Elin Lindfors describe themselves as a Northern Lights Electronica, so the cap fits perfectly.Coincidentally, I recently watched Ab Fab star Joanna Lumleys documentary on her visit to the polar region to witness the lights, and my thoughts instantly turned to the incredible soundscapes this duo has created.
Like their Icelandic counterparts Sigur Ros, The Deer Tracks immerse themselves in intricate sounds using strings, clockwork beats and brass flourishes. Elins vocals float and weave just like the spectacular vistas up north, which Ive witnessed on a lesser scale many years ago near Warrington (yes I know what youre thinking but its true).
The opening track is possibly the best example of the duos fusion of instrumentation, whereas the twitchy-scratchy ramblings of The Puzzled Piece is a deeply ethereal experience as it drifts and swirls gloriously. Follower, Slow Collision, is more upbeat musically, featuring ghostly vocals and off-centre drum beats and what sounds like glockenspiel clunking in the distance. The next six tracks melt into each other seamlessly, all at a snails pace, with some occasionally reaching, a sort of crescendo, with lots of intricate detail on top of gentle, and often twinkling arrangements, befitting the real aurora.
The verdict: Spin and enjoy.
Weblinks:myspace.com/thedeertracks /despotz.se
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Yes This Is My Broken Shield
2. The Puzzled Piece
3. Slow Collision
4. 127 Sex Fyra
5. Before The Storm
6. I Bite Your Tongue
7. Christmas Fire
8. World Of Abel
9. Cast Away
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.