Efterklang - Parades (Album)
The cover for Efterklang’s new release is a montage of colour, much in the frame of The Beatles ‘Sgt. Pepper’, with individual 3D pictures everywhere making up a compilation that somehow almost blends together into a 2D image which fills the area. This gives a exceptionally good indication of what ‘Parades’ is like.
Efterklang is a Danish 5-piece indie-pop band, which has an additional 3 members for live performances. Coming into the music scene with widespread success in Scandinavia with the debut album ‘Tripper’, ‘Parades’ is their next offering. It was developed over an 18-month period, and the level of thought and dedication that has gone into the music is reflected in the extent of the album’s production. More than 30 guest musicians are featured in the album; as well as the ever-present recording studio, recording took place in echo chambers and churches, and the changed acoustics are noticeable in particular tunes.
Each song in ‘Parades’ is a densely interwoven tapestry of sound, with so many layers that all a listener can do is sit back and listen in wonder. Starting with a slower song, the album quickly shakes off the dust and opens up with the beautiful ‘Mirador’. Featuring processional drumbeats, chanted background melodies, computer-generated sounds, brass and wind instruments as well as guitar and piano, the song demonstrates Efterklang’s ability to change ‘sound’ into ‘music’. Other notable tracks are the almost operatic ‘Maison de Reflexion’ and the higher-pitched ‘Caravan’. Despite the strong Scandinavian flavour, I personally found myself thinking that some of the songs on ‘Parades’ could easily fit as theme music for any number of older Playstation games (Wild Arms anyone?).
‘Parades’ is a magnificent work of orchestral sound, sound that envelops you and carries you away. Doubtless if you listen to it while driving to work, playing games or reading a book you’ll be thinking, “What the hell is this?” – I know I was. However if you actually take the time to sit down and listen to it, to appreciate the multilayered approach and the way the many different instruments complement each other, you might just find yourself admitting to the beauty in the music.
