Search - Flunk :: Personal Stereo

Flunk

il n'y a que deux | New York City | 10/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an amazing Alternative band from Norway.



The depth of talent with the three musicians and the female singer is outstanding.



To appreciate the bands talent, I suggest you purchase the previous CD called Morning Star as well.



Personal Stereo is an evolution for the band. The CD must be listened to at least four times to realize how fabulous, complex and wonderful it is.



The lyrics and orchestration on this CD is amazing.



This is a band that with the proper exposure, could and should become a Global Phenomenon.



Though only currently available through Imports, this CD is worth owning if you enjoy music."

Dreamy Electro Pop for Dreamy Heads

Pete Magritte | Santa Monica, CA USA | 08/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Love Anja Vijster, who begins one of the songs on Flunk's new album by crooning "I'm a weirdo" in such a vibrant and happy way that it can't help but make me embrace my own inner weirdo, too. I simply can't understand how these guys don't have an American distributor. What, is there no God of Pop? Following their marvelous "Morning Star" (2004) and "Music for Sleepyheads" (2002), Flunk have conjured up another mystical, enchanting delight for anyone who takes their dreaming seriously or their seriousness dreamily. I actually got the album directly from Beatservice in Norway when I heard "Sit Down" on their MySpace page two or three months ago. The soul of the album are the four songs "Haldi," "Sit Down," "See You" and "Two Icicles," which run the gamut from heartbroken lament ("See You") to triumphant joy, ("Two Icicles.") I would say of all their albums, this is the one I can listen to all the way through consistently, it has such a broad range of emotions. It's a little moodier than "Morning Star" but more upbeat than "Music for Sleepyheads." All in all, it is a must have, even at the import price. There are very few groups that can stir a sense of dreamy reverie like these guys and combine that with a deep feeling for the joy and power of love."

A nice return to form

Benjamin Norman | Washington DC | 01/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having spent a lot of time lately listening to heavy beats and screaming divas, it is really hard to go into something like Flunk and expect anything similar to what has been coming out of my speakers. So to acclimate myself to Flunk, and their own personal style of electronica, I had to wean myself off of thumping dance music. Personal Stereo found its way onto my daily, randomized iPod playlist. I was greeted sporadically throughout the day with lazy, lilting melodies and Anja's Bjork-like elfin vocals. I figured this was the best approach, and it worked like a charm.



Personal Stereo plays much differently than Morning Star, the group's 2004 album. Where Morning Star was definitely more poptronica, Personal Stereo plays like a dry, cold, windy winter day. It is significantly more stripped down, and features Anja at her most vulnerable.



The album starts off with the title track, "Personal Stereo." Flunk likes to cover songs in their dreamy style, and while "Stereo" isn't a direct cover, it makes perfect use of R.E.M.'s famous "This one goes out to the one I love" line. I almost wish they would cover that song, with how adeptly and emotionally she sings that one line. In "Personal Stereo," that lyric is followed up with "Coming to you on your personal stereo." It is atmospheric, extremely vulnerable, and filled with true audible beauty. "If We Kiss" is a slow groove with Anja's vocals and vocal processing making her sound almost identical to Bjork. It's a little freaky. "Haldi" features samples from Daniel Johnston's work, and also his voice and songwriting skills. "Sit Down" is probably my favorite track, using the vocals of both Anja and Ulf Nygaard, who is responsible for the programming of Flunk. It is a haunting tune about war featuring the lyrics



"Listen to the silence in between



It's louder than the bombs that come screaming in."



Ulf sings the first verse, Anja the second, and then they sing together in a melodramatic harmony with strumming guitars and an accessible trip hop beat. Definitely one of Flunk's standout tracks, not just from Personal Stereo, but of their career. "See You" is the cover this time, and stays true with their pattern of covering new wave tracks of the 80's. This time it's Depeche Mode. Their last two new wave covers were both New Order, with "Blue Monday" and then "True Faith." "See You" in Flunk's style is almost a country tune, upbeat (for them) and utterly adorable.



Summary - I definitely recommend checking out the entire album. I've highlighted what I enjoy the most, but that won't encompass what everyone will find to love about Personal Stereo."