When I stepped into Starbucks on their Christmas-drink-debut to pick up my first beloved eggnog latte, I spotted The Swell Season's new album "Strict Joy," and was totally giddy.
I first became acquainted with this duo (Glen Hansard from the Irish band, The Frames and Marketa Irglova, a Czech classical pianist and vocalist) in the independent Irish film "Once," which premiered in 2007.
The two musicians collaborated before the films completion in writing and performing the entire soundtrack. The movie itself was, as Steven Spielberg put it, inspirational enough to last the rest of the year. As for the soundtrack, simply magical. I'm a big sucker for good harmonies and this soundtrack oozes them.
The musicians new album, composed under the name The Swell Season, falls comparably short. The songs lack the magic of the tunes featured in "Once," and I find the harmonies awkward. I enjoyed Irglova's lovely little voice so much in "Once," and was disappointed to find her drowned out by Hansard in their new album.
Irglovas vocals in "Feeling the Pull" and "In These Arms," are bothersome and insecure, but sweet in "Fantasy Man." Hansards vocals sound desperately poppy in "The Rain," a stray from his decidedly raspy/soulful folky sound, though redeem themselves with a catchy, climactic ending.
I really do enjoy some of the tracks, such as "High Horses," which features those interesting harmonies and Irglova's voice sounds brighter than in the rest of the album.
I'm sure if I give the album a few more listens I'll appreciate it more than I do now, I was just hoping for the near perfection found in "Once."
