Born in Copenhagen in 1981, Obel claims to be heavily influenced by the cla… Read Full Bio ↴Born in Copenhagen in 1981, Obel claims to be heavily influenced by the classical composers, Bartok, Debussy, Ravel, Satie and popular artists, Roy Orbison, Joni Mitchell and Jan Johansson. On listening to the 12 songs that comprise Philharmonics, some of these influences can be distinctly heard. Although folk music features all the way through Obel’s compositions, it is the sparse atmospheric sound that is predominant. Obel writes, performs and produces everything herself. She studied the piano from an early age and was taught by her mother.
There are three instrumental numbers on this album. The first, Falling, Catching is purely piano solo and immediately Satie springs to mind. The clashing harmonies are pure Bartok and the falling melody is reflected in the title of the song. Loretta combines synth and keyboard sounds with the piano and is characterized by a few simple chords and Wallflower has an ethereal lilting quality combining solo cello with piano.
The remaining numbers are all vocal. Obel has a breathy, light voice which is suited to this kind of minimalist style. Many of the songs are multitracked so that Obel is able to produce interesting vocal harmonies. Brother Sparrow and Just So use both piano and guitar accompaniments, both have pretty lilting melodies. Avenue and Over the Hill combine simple chordal harmonies with breathy reflective vocal lines. The album title, Philharmonics uses strong minor chords providing an emotional element which mimics the lyrics. Some songs employ brush drums and many synth combinations as well as the piano adding richer textures to the sound. More upbeat numbers are On Powdered Ground and Beast. However, most of the songs are slow, atmospheric and could be effectively used as a film soundtrack. Indeed Riverside has already been successfully used in the 2010 film, Submarino and also in the TV show, Grey’s Anatomy.
Tracklist:
01 – Falling Catching
02 – Riverside
03 – Brother Sparrow
04 – Just So
05 – Beast
06 – Louretta
07 – Avenue
08 – Philharmonics
09 – Close Watch
10 – Wallflower
11 – Over the Hill
12 – On Powdered Ground
There are three instrumental numbers on this album. The first, Falling, Catching is purely piano solo and immediately Satie springs to mind. The clashing harmonies are pure Bartok and the falling melody is reflected in the title of the song. Loretta combines synth and keyboard sounds with the piano and is characterized by a few simple chords and Wallflower has an ethereal lilting quality combining solo cello with piano.
The remaining numbers are all vocal. Obel has a breathy, light voice which is suited to this kind of minimalist style. Many of the songs are multitracked so that Obel is able to produce interesting vocal harmonies. Brother Sparrow and Just So use both piano and guitar accompaniments, both have pretty lilting melodies. Avenue and Over the Hill combine simple chordal harmonies with breathy reflective vocal lines. The album title, Philharmonics uses strong minor chords providing an emotional element which mimics the lyrics. Some songs employ brush drums and many synth combinations as well as the piano adding richer textures to the sound. More upbeat numbers are On Powdered Ground and Beast. However, most of the songs are slow, atmospheric and could be effectively used as a film soundtrack. Indeed Riverside has already been successfully used in the 2010 film, Submarino and also in the TV show, Grey’s Anatomy.
Tracklist:
01 – Falling Catching
02 – Riverside
03 – Brother Sparrow
04 – Just So
05 – Beast
06 – Louretta
07 – Avenue
08 – Philharmonics
09 – Close Watch
10 – Wallflower
11 – Over the Hill
12 – On Powdered Ground
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Philharmonics
Agnes Obel Lyrics
Avenue What is wrong at the end of the day What is…
Beast I would know who roars mostly like the beast Going out…
Brother Sparrow Voices in the street Footsteps on the concrete Guess I hear …
Close Watch Never win and never lose There's nothing much to choose Betw…
Just So Black turns beamy bright Turning on the light Today is gonna…
On Powdered Ground Go back and forward but all is melting like the snow Taking…
Over the Hill Over the hill I will be waiting on for you I won't…
Philharmonics Guess who died, last night In grey stockings, in all might I…
Riverside Down by the river by the boats Where everybody goes to…