Mew - A Triumph For Man (Re-issue, Disc 2)

2006 (recorded in 1996); 9 tracks

This is the second disc of the 2006 re-issue of Danish rock band Mew's first ever release, A Triumph For Man. The original album was recorded and released in 1997, and this second disc, released on the re-issue as bonus material/acoustic/demos, was recorded in 1995-1996 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The reason I am putting up only the second disc of the re-issue (I uploaded the first disc here just in case you'd like to hear it as well) is because I am usually much more fond of demos than finished, polished pieces. I do love the album as it was released, but for some reason these 9 looks into the band's most intimate and vulnerable moments of songwriting and experimenting seem to say so much more to me than the rest do. For one, the songs are all incredibly beautiful. Sometimes Jonas Bjerre's voice is so soft you can barely make out the words, and sometimes you can hear background noise and other things that weren't meant to happen. It's just perfect, to me. This disc does not include demos or other versions of every single song on the original album, which has 14 tracks, but I believe that the loveliest ones are these on the second disc. Dreamy, pretty and addictive.

01 Studio Snippet #1
02 Say You're Sorry (ATFM Session)
03 Beautiful Balloon (Acoustic)
04 Web (Demo)
05 Chinese Gun (Demo)
06 Studio Snippet #2
07 I Should Have Been A Tsin-Tsi (For You) Demo
08 Wheels Over Me (Demo)
09 Superfriends (Demo)

Download.

Agnes Obel - Philharmonics

 2010; 12 tracks

"Danish singer/songwriter Agnes Obel's first major release, Philharmonics, is without a doubt one of the most powerful records I have heard in recent memory. An album that lacks the overproduction that has managed to creep its way into nearly every genre of music, her skill as a pianist would be enough to impress most.

Obel's musicianship extends far beyond keyboards, however. With her delicate vocals and eloquently layered harmonies, Obel crafts songs that speak volumes without unnecessary frills. The majority of the songs consist mainly of piano/keyboard and vocals, with some guitar and strings filling in on some tracks, and any sort of rhythm section on only two of the albums 12 songs. With some instrumentals in the mix, Philharmonics is an incredibly diverse, but at the same time cohesive album. While her popularity will need time to grow in the US, Philharmonics has reached double platinum status in Denmark, and has been nominated for various other awards in Europe as well."

Yeah I looooove this album. Especially the track "Riverside."


Download.

Mew - And the Glass Handed Kites

2005; 16 tracks

God I fucking love this album. I find the album cover a little annoying and weird-looking, but who cares. I listened to it non-stop in the spring/summer of 2008... I have so many dumb memories associated with it though, I hate it when that happens -.- Anyway, it's basically the epitome of beauty and power, and definitely my favorite Mew album. No one can deny that tracks like "Special," "The Zookeeper's Boy," and "White Lips Kissed" are absolutely essential to understanding and appreciating life and it's many wonders - one of them being this marvelous Danish band Mew.

.....