Login for FavoritesOwen Pallett - Heartland
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Album Details
- Artist: Owen Pallett
- Album: Heartland
- Label:
- Year of Release: 2010
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: tosnob on 2010-02-06
RecommendOne thing's for sure, Owen Pallett won't surprise anyone this time around. That's exactly what happened when, under his former Final Fantasy moniker, he came from seemingly nowhere to take home the inaugural Polaris Prize for the album He Poos Clouds. Pallett's new album, Heartland, is out now.
In addition to the mesmerizing violins and swirling pianos that filled out the first album, it seems as though Pallett has suddenly discovered instruments that you plug in. Synthesizers and programming take a much more expanded role in the music. While violin parts on songs like "Keep the Dog Quiet" are still crisp, its the frenetic blips that propel most of the album ever onwards.
One conclusion I've come to after repeated listenings of Heartland is that Owen Pallett should not sing. On the surface that may seem like a harsh statement, but it's not intended to be. Pallett's songs tell a story through their ebb and flow, drifting and meandering. The vocals on the songs are largely superfluous, the story gets told effectively without them. Moreover they often disrupt the flow of the music more than they add to the equation (and once or twice they are just downright grating).
One a handful of occasions the singing does work. "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt" is glorious as Pallett ventures closer to pop than ever before, while they provide a subtle lift to "Oh Heartland, Up Yours!".
But it is the arrangements that are the stars here. Few artists can spark the imagination like Owen Pallett. One can almost see the fluttering of birds wings as you experience "Flare Gun", and with a title like "Tryst with Mephistopheles" how can images not pop into your head.
Heartland isn't perfect, but it is a solid follow-up for Pallett and a natural progression of his sound.
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on 2010-01-23 thurstamoore Said:
After being in the works for close to four years, Owen Pallett (previously known as Final Fantasy) has released his third album. Heartland is as a concept album on which Owen has fully shown his orchestrating abilities. It tells the story of a farmer from the distant, fictional planet Spectrum; Lewis and his problematic love relationship between his creator Owen.
Compared to previous Final Fantasy albums, there is a lot more variety and depth in the arrangements. In the past, Owen would play all of the violin parts by himself, by looping and repeating on a pedal. On Heartland, Owen changes his backing band slightly, and adds a few extras here and there. Don't get your hopes up though, because its only the Czech Symphony Orchestra (!!). With the dozens of added instruments on Heartland, the possibilities and options were endless for Owen and he took full advantage. Heartland ranges in intensity, style and emotion. Red Sun No. 5 , Oh Heartland, Up Yours! and E is for Estranged are sad, romantic and quieter songs, more minimal in nature. Midnight Directives , "Keep the Dog Quiet" and The Great Elsewhere seem as though they have been taken straight out of a video game score, with their hints of electronic synths under the strong orchestrations. Lewis Takes Action is the most diverse song, opening with drumming similar to that of the Jesus and Mary Chains Just like Honey , followed by dissonant staccato bursts and finally the baroque-style strings and horns. The album is difficult to classify or compare, because there are influences drawn from pop, classical, baroque and electronic all at once.
In recent history, concept albums as a whole have somewhat been disappointing, whether it be the over-the-top instrument scores or ridiculous, unnaccessible lyrics. Being Owen's second 'concept album', he has mastered the balance between a continuing narrative story and equally masterful instrumentation without being too excessive. Heartland's emotions are both delicate and powerful. Owen has poured his heart out onto this album of incredible talent, depth and passion.
Key Tracks: Lewis Takes Action, Flare Gun
Rating: 8/10
