Fever Ray- Fever Ray Album Review

[buckleygeneration]

@theneedledrop How do you feel about this album now that a couple of years have passed? What are your favourite tracks?

[stilox000]

Oh good you took the LP out before shaking it around

[stilox000]

An awesome review from Lo-fi Fantano

[exfactor003]

this is one of my favourite albums of all-time.

[8nikolas8]

For once I agree with you.

[buckleygeneration]

Absolutely amazing album. My favourites are If I Had a Heart, When I Grow Up, Seven, I'm Not Done and Coconut.

[variationofbirds]

God, I remember first listening to this album. Haven't heard such a great record since.

[IRMoonlander]

i didnt like this too much the first time i listened to it.... but then after two more spins it blew my mind! such an awesome album!

[gzussturbo]

I have had this album in my van for over a year now... I can honestly say that I listen to it about 2 times a day without any exaggeration. When I feel I need a change in music, I listen to something else for a few songs, but go straight back to Fever Ray in a short matter of time. Everything about this album is fucking amazing! I cannot wait for her second album!

If I had to choose a favorite song, I would have to go with Dry and Dusty... but still that's a tough decision.

[salmonbomb]

Has this LP lost any of its charm with you over the past couple years?

[MoonchildMindaugas2]

I see why this album is loved so much. I see it perfectly. But it's not my cup of tea. Radiohead is still better.

[icemanmwk]

Amongst the possible influences not mentioned, Eno is probably too obvious, since his general influence on electronica is so broad, but certainly I found notable similarities with the great Laurie Anderson, without it being derivative, of course. peace MK

[icemanmwk]

absolutely bang on, Anthony. This is why I love your reviews. This is a mini classic, and I like the way you spot the retro influences. It's one of the finest albums of the last few years. A musician who knows what she's doing. You have a fan. Peace, MK

[nurserybones]

finally getting round to listening to this album!

really enjoying it so far.

thanks needle drop!

[jellyfish931]

Fav album by far

[stripeyninga]

i totally get the toto comparison, good shout!

anthony, out of interest have you every given an album a 10?

[DrJake786]

I got the re-release version of this album for Christmas after you mentioned it in your top 2010 video. Always loved Karin's vocals on Royksopp tracks and I was pleased to see that she had a solo album. You definitely reviewed this one accurately! Thanks for introducing me to Fever Ray!

[xavierpaquin]

I want to taste sounds too!

[EddietehFace]

I've never laughed so much at an album review. Thank you Anthony.

[XIXNayRXIX]

I, too, love this album. I'm starting to really get into music and I stumbled upon The Knife, and then of course, Fever Ray. I can't stop listening to it. I love it.

[hidragon666]

One of THE best albums I've heard in my life. The emptiness and the depth really play off each other really nice. I hope there's another one. I heard there might not be.

[aw5omeFRAZA]

The thing that gets it to a ten for me is the free poster!

POSTERS FTW!!

[evanisgay11]

I hope she puts out a new record soon. Fever Ray blew my mind, it was so amazing.

[VenusAsABoyFilms]

If Fever Ray's album was food, I'd eat it every day! I give it 100 stars out of 10. Go get this album! Now!!!

[wreck93]

KDA: Yeah, I have a computer [laughs]. I work in Ableton Live. I have mostly software synthesizers and software drum machines. I'm very lazy. I don't really like to plug in a lot of equipment and external boxes and everything. But I use the guitar a lot, yeah, with some software amplifiers, mostly, and yeah I recorded stuff but have cut it and sampled it, mostly. But I think it adds a certain organic feel to everything, which makes it a little bit warmer and more alive.

digitally recorded?

[XtylerwithasilentX]

i miss you queing parts of the album in your reviews. as a viewer i find the short clips of music very very helpful in what to expect on the album.

[Brost31]

What's the song at 3:58?

[uphillracer]

it reminds me so nicely of kate bush.. i have to dive into this album, the octaved vocals deterred me formerly ... but the sounds sound really warm and ready to swin in. jump jump!

[TheMyzik]

This album is definitely a grower, even for Knife fans. I think I was just appalled by the cool, quiet, starkness of it. And on the first few listens, I didn't know what to do with it.

But it has honestly grown to be not only my favorite of 2009, but maybe one of my favorite albums ever. I love "Coconut". The build up gets me every time. Especially with the subtle mentions of Olof.

[qwer8907]

boring album but most critics like them

[deathtrapdeath]

Fantastic review -on spot the compressed air waves here.

From now on I will take heed to your ears Mr. needle.

[Davemo69]

heard keep the streets empty for me on an episode of CSI and went a hunting for ziss, duely found it and wow fever ray awsome no i dea who or whantteny she wa untill this dude told me(thankya tony) i wil be chcking this album out

[cphines1]

such a good album. you were very right about the wanting to taste it thing. its like this album gets all five senses going its bizarre but in the best way

[Dhanijel1]

You remind me of Patrick Bateman when you are talking music.

[IageF]

"Karen Anderson".. haha. such an american way to pronounce the name. I lolled.

[BadButNotSad]

3:04

I rofled.

A lot :D

[SaneLunacy]

Wasn't liking it at first, but upon your insistence of how great it was I gave it another chance and I'm really digging it.

[comedyliker12]

this albums rocks!!!!

[TuffGhost3149]

lol i love the beginning

[AlannaGabby]

I'm not big for eerie and creepy sounds, I hate ominous feelings but I can honestly say even with the layered voices it's still somewhat comforting. But, I have to say I agree with pretty much 110% of what you said in this review.

[7Wild7Child7]

Great review. I purchased the deluxe cd from Best Buy. They asked me to do a review. I said a few words and then saw that there was a section to link to a video review... Guess who's review I linked to?

[maple841]

I totally agree especially with what he said in the beginning. I've only been listening to her mostly online but plan on buying this album. Unlike so many new "hits" that come out that all sound the same, each song on here is catchy and yet sounds so different. Can't wait to buy it.

[rauiyt]

unnnnnnhhhh annnnnnnhhh floogle.

[lalalaidontcare321]

I've loved this album since it came out and this review imparted the exact same feelings I have toward this album. It never disappoints me. I was so glad to watch this review! Thanks. I'm so glad to have an album reviewer I can TRUST to be intelligent, cognizant of detail, and capable of saying things like you want to "eat" the beautiful and odd sounds on this album- the type of thought I looove to encounter!

[JustDonald797]

Songs like Triangle Walks on this album remind me of Little Dragon.

[MattRitz7]

great review man! you hit it on the head with you description. i'd really like to see what you have to say about "Tomorrow, In a Year" good lookin out!!! (concrete walls is your favorite song by the way ; )

[VladoQ]

perfect album i love the vocal

[Verazze]

I was a bit indifferent on my first listen but this review made me want to listen to it again and give it another chance.

[theneedledrop]

@Verazze Let me know if you end up digging it! :-)

[Verazze]

@theneedledrop Yeah I listened to the album again twice and I can say that its growing on me a lot. The haunting feel I get from the vocals make them stand out the best to me.

[uphillracer]

i think there is a lot of kate bush´s "the ninth wave" (second half of hounds of love) on there too, considering the low pitched vocals and disturbing sound surroundings. interesting album!

[Contraceptive]

I believe her name is pronounced more like "car" and less like "care"...

Not that it matters too much, I suppose.

[picchionero]

much better than new knife "tomorrow in a year" which really sucks

[sugarhed]

@picchionero

True, but 'Tomorrow' does have its moments (for me at least) - Colouring of Pigeons, Seeds, Height Of Summer, Annie's Box (both versions) are still worthy of listening

[swimlonely]

I can't tell you how many times I've listened to this album. Every time, I find something new I didn't hear before, or find new meaning in the lyrics -- and the songs' relationships to one another as a whole. Karin REALLY outdid herself with this one.

[NeonFoxLetsPlays]

a strong 12 for me.

[drockmuthafucka]

lol agreed

[JohnCena2011]

I need to give this album another listen. I wasn't thoroughly convinced on my first listen.

[ifonlywemovedaway]

Even if I did'nt like an album that much, you make me want to hear it again ... <3

[SquishypuffDave]

That really was one of the best reviews I've ever encountered. You hit the nail on the head with every review, positive or negative, and with this one in particular. Also, thanks to you, I now own this album and am loving it.

[theneedledrop]

I'm happy to help! :-D

[DoubleNickels]

Personally, I feel if anything Fever Ray is really taking the whole thing Laurie Anderson did in the 80s and using a modern sound/aesthetic for it, that's the biggest influence I hear in the sound.

[kashink1]

Favourite track used to be "If I had heart" for the lyrics ("If I had a heart I would love you, if I had a voice I'd sing" = very first words of the whole album, just great), but is now "Dry and Dusty", I just love the double voice thing and the energy in it, depp, powerful.

I'd love to work on a painting for her!!!

[neonfoxincolour]

bonus cookie points for having it on vinyl!!!

Fever Ray is maybe my favourite album of 2009. Karin Dreijer has to be my favourite vocalist ever, her voice is so captivating. and those synths do sound like they do tasty.

it's a very qualitative album, very ambient, very demonic, very easy to love, never boring.

what's your favourite track on it? I can't decide.

[theneedledrop]

Pfft! That's hard! It's a dead heat between "If I Had a Heart" "Seven" "Concrete Walls" and "Triangle Walks," I think. :-p

[neonfoxincolour]

....yeah same here i think.

[lynchaxxonn]

@neonfoxincolour i second that. the knife/fever ray=best thing going on in music period imho

[thesnorkmoomin]

I agree with all of that and I woulda given it a 10 :-) i felt my heart sink when i found out she won't be doing it again. Thank god i got to see Fever Ray live!

[centerAeternus]

nice!!!

excelente album!!!

no podria aver una nueva version de musica experimental

[sciurisciura]

excellent review.

I love this album, along with The Knife's Silent Shout. Not so much deep cuts though (not it it's entirety, at least)

[eb0nikz]

i take your opinion very seriously, i loved Silent Shout and Paper Cuts, so i definitely have to give this a listen, thanks for your opinion brotha!

[theneedledrop]

No prob. My mouth opens and the opinions just come out. :-p

[RequiemCorpse]

I'm listening to the album now...fuck me this is good!!!! :D Subscribing to you has paid off ;D :)

[theneedledrop]

Thanks a lot! :-D

[jek21]

I think this is the first review where I've actually agreed with you. haha. Great album, definitely going in my best-of list for 09.

Oh and Tomahawk rules.

[theneedledrop]

The first one!? Hah! Well, at least we agree on something important. :-)

[eucharyst]

nothing on silent shout, i have to say that this has none of the euphoria that i love about the knife's music.

[theneedledrop]

True, the euphoria isn't there, but with all respect, Fever doesn't really shoot for that, I think. +1

[noconclusion]

album of the year.

[theneedledrop]

hell yeah!

[paulboggan]

great album...certainly in my top ten of the year.

better than the knife by a mile....

[theneedledrop]

I feel that way, too, but don't tell anyone.

[DekutheGreatku]

ive been putting off getting this album, but now im gonna have to!

[theneedledrop]

Please, please do! :-)

[samuelbellpierre]

Patent no longer pending..

you are the busiest music nerd..

[theneedledrop]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

[Yaksniffer]

man those doubled up vocals were saweeeeeeeeeeet!!!

[theneedledrop]

They're creepy, too. O__o

[NotGabeNewell]

Couldn't get into this album at all.

[wuz352]

Lol, love that intro. Right on the money with it, Anthony.

[theneedledrop]

Yeah, I've gotta change the intros up, ya know.

[ardianworld]

Oh and by the way: you definitely hit the nail for bringing up that 'native' aspect with the first track 'If I had a heart'. She mentioned that the band Tomahawk (metal with Native American influences, album 'Anonymous') was the inspiration for it.

Great review and keep up the good work!

[theneedledrop]

I've gotta give Tomahawk another change. I'm not that big of a fan, frankly.

[ardianworld]

Wow, what a coincidence, as I had the privilege to witness Fever Ray live just 2 days ago in Amsterdam! And needless to say; she definitely blew me away: amazing show with lots of attention to detail (the famous laser show, costumes, make-up, incredible music: all for bulding up that mysterious atmosphere). I totally agree that she delivered one of the greatest albums of 2009, it's too bad that there's a big chance she won't continue with this project after this album.

[theneedledrop]

Oh no! I hope she does. :-(

[EngineOfRuin]

Great Review as always Anthony !

I absolutely love this album, it´s so awesome. Every track takes you on a journey.

Best regards

Leandro

[theneedledrop]

Thanks so much for watching, dude. You haven't commented in a while, so I didn't know if you disappeared or anything. Glad you're still kicking! :-)

[EngineOfRuin]

Yeah, sorry about that. I had a lot of stuff going on, but from now on I will have more time.

[mightyfool1]

Thats the best intro i've seen in a long time..

keep bringing us this great reviews..

Greets

[theneedledrop]

Woot!

[heyjudas]

i find myself doing your okay hand gesture all the time now.

[theneedledrop]

Hahahah! I have an "okay" hand gesture? I don't even notice it!!! O__O

[neoyorke]

Oh and a Deluxe edition released this past week. 10/10!!!!!!!!!!

[theneedledrop]

I know! I don't want to have to buy the album again, but I'm tempted!!!!

[neoyorke]

I was just thinking the same thing yesterday. Album of the year for me!!!!!

[theneedledrop]

I have to think about it a big, but I think it's definitely there!

[RequiemCorpse]

Interesting...I must look into Fever Ray more...

[theneedledrop]

Tell me what you think if you do. :-)

[tlinscott1]

Fever Ray > Silent Shout

her voice is just right for this music -

and I see the Phil Collins 80's thing too -

love this one

[theneedledrop]

Her voice is possibly the best part! I don't think this music would be the same without it.

[4Colours]

I love love loved this album. Gonna go listen to it again now :-)

[theneedledrop]

Hah! Fukkin awesome!

[YoureWrongImRight]

This album has been in my Saturday arsenal for a while now. I remember one night there was this black gentleman there, just sitting at the bar. He had a very thick African accent and was just having some drinks by himself. I threw a Fever Ray track on eventually and he immediately came over to ask who it was. He went back to his seat after I told him and had a huge grin on his face for the rest of the track. Afterwards gave me this big "thumbs up". I thought that was pretty cool.

[theneedledrop]

*thumbs up*

[attaxwrongnes]

When i first heard this i wasnt really into it just for the fact i didnt think it was as good as silent shout and it had a stark bleakness to it that i wasnt in the mood for. Since then though i have come to love fever ray for the separate entity that it is and have embraced the bleak and creepy feel of it. Its definitely one of my faves of the year now. Its funny you mentioned phil collins as when one of my mates heard a track of this he instantly compared the sound of it to that. great review

[theneedledrop]

Thanks, thanks, sir! :-D

[series360]

nice review :) fever ray arecrazy but the new knife album should make it seem crap in a goood way !

[pigfaceddog]

I fuckin LOVE Fever Ray. Thank you Mr. Fantano, and in her song "when I grow up" I wanna wash my face with her greatness.

I give this a 10/10

[theneedledrop]

Dude, you serious!? I didn't think you'd like this at all! I win! I win! I WIN!!!!

[pigfaceddog]

I'm dead serious! Karin Dreijer Andersson, is wonderful.

I DO give this 10/10. See my tastes are very eclectic. could listen to fever Ray AND Joanna Newsom all day ;)

[SirAllAboutMusic]

I'm gonna have to pick this up, I really liked If I Had A Heart.

[theneedledrop]

Dooooooooo iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!

[standingonair777]

I've wanted to check this out for awhile, I think I must now.

[theneedledrop]

Report back, dude! :-)