Sunday, October 16, 2011

Review: Esben and the Witch: Violet Cries [B-]


Artist: Esben and the Witch
Album: Violet Cries
Released: January 2011
Label: Matador Records
Genre: dream pop / nightmare pop

Purchase Date: 15 April 2011
Format: mp3 files
Source: Amazon

Named for an obscure and macabre Danish fairy tale, this British trio's sound uses the dreamlike and ethereal tones of dream-pop, but to disturbing and nightmarish effect. (Several other critics have dubbed this "nightmare-pop".) Layered, echoed vocals, whispered spoken-word, guitars sounding like they are coming up from the bottom of a well, and an overall tone of melancholy-bordering-on-despair, this isn't music for the faint of heart. These elements come together with a brooding, dark intensity on the tracks "Warpath," Marching Song," and "Skeleton Swoon," but don't quite gel for much of the rest of the album.

Rating: B-


Artist not available at eMusic


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