Ölvis, Bravado [Resonant – RESCD021, 2007]

One of the usual suspects at Resonant goes by the name of Ölvis. The quality of this artist’s productions is flawless and the Ölvis’ Bravado album is not an exception. This 60’s inspired adventure has a large sound, filled with strings and live-sounding setting on the drum section all fused with a countless (well almost)… Continue reading Ölvis, Bravado [Resonant – RESCD021, 2007]

Small Sails, Similar Anniversaries [Resonant – RESCD025, 2007]

Another debut album on Resonant this time around they did not make the stop half way the Atlantic. Instead they continued west to that big land known as America. Small Sails is apparently a trio and with Similar Anniversaries they clearly show that they move comfortably in the pop-genre. You get some not dangerous yet… Continue reading Small Sails, Similar Anniversaries [Resonant – RESCD025, 2007]

Stafrænn Häkon, Gummi [Resonant – RESCD023, 2007]

Gummi is an album filled with well-produced pop-oriented (Icelandic) music and very much a Resonant affair. It is all about ultra clean production where every sonic element seem to be in exactly the right place, including vocals oozing of disappear. Stafrænn Häkon’s full-length album Gummi is more than competent pop-music. The album is out now… Continue reading Stafrænn Häkon, Gummi [Resonant – RESCD023, 2007]

Port-Royal, Afraid to Dance [Resonant – RESCD024, 2007]

The long-awaited follow-up to their 2005 Flares album does not disappoint. Port-royal’s dramatic guitar-filled music is executed to perfection throughout the 10 tracks on the CD. In comparison with their previous album the dramatic effects are not as big and the focus or interest in beats is noticeably stronger in Afraid to Dance. However, they’re… Continue reading Port-Royal, Afraid to Dance [Resonant – RESCD024, 2007]

Yellow6, Painted Sky [Resonant – RESCD022, 2007]

Being the minimal excursion in guitar-based music that Yellow6’s full-length album Painted Sky Is. It fits the Resonant label perfectly and it is not hard to understand how this album ended up being an actual release. The mix of treated / untreated guitars either with beats or without are all expertly put together forming an… Continue reading Yellow6, Painted Sky [Resonant – RESCD022, 2007]

Prince Valium, Andlaus [Resonant – RESCD019, 2006]

“Andlaus” is the title of yet another album with Icelandic ties being released by Resonant. Prince Valium’s “Andlaus” is filled with echoing, fading guitars and the occasional vocal element. The sound is warm, track progression is slow and it is all extremely well put together. The lullaby styled “Butter Cookies” with deep bass and processed… Continue reading Prince Valium, Andlaus [Resonant – RESCD019, 2006]

Library Tapes, Feelings for Something Lost [Resonant – RESCD020, 2006]

Library Tape returns to Resonant after their debut album “Alone in the Bright Light of a Shattered Life”. The second full-length release is entitled “Feelings for Something Lost” and it features more lonely piano drenched in melancholy. It sets the mood for the rest of the 7-track mini-album and this is in both a good… Continue reading Library Tapes, Feelings for Something Lost [Resonant – RESCD020, 2006]

Library Tapes, Alone in the Bright Light of a Shattered Life [Resonant – RESCD016, 2005]

Library Tape’s debut album on Resonant is entitled “Alone in the Bright Light of a Shattered Life” the opening track “Broken Piano pt.2” features a lonely piano and overdose of melancholy. It sets the mood for the rest of the 7-track mini-album and this is in both a good and a bad way. The piano’s… Continue reading Library Tapes, Alone in the Bright Light of a Shattered Life [Resonant – RESCD016, 2005]

Ölvis, The Blue Sound [Resonant – RESCD014, 2005]

“The Blue Sound” by Ölvis has somewhat of late 60’s and early 70’s feeling to it, complete with string arrangements, straight-forward drums, quite jazzy and always accompanied by acoustic guitar and vocals. It would fit the bill in any stylish movie of that time area, not an intense car-chase scene however. Clearly retro albeit production… Continue reading Ölvis, The Blue Sound [Resonant – RESCD014, 2005]