Search - Sondre Lerche :: Faces Down

Better with time...

John Truslow | Vestal, New York, United States | 03/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I originally gave this album four stars because at the time of that review, I had spent too much time listening to Lerche's other album and had become somewhat biased in its favor (though it is also VERY good). I've changed this review to 5 stars because over time, I have come to appreciate the music more for what it is that for what it is compared to. This is complex (sometimes mystifying), unique, and smartly conceived pop that asks something of the listener beyond listening. The music here has a good flow, insteresting lyrics, and is mixed well enough to hear layer upon layer of instrumentation. I love it."

Our youngest pop-Savior

Davide | Cagliari, ITALIA | 11/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While the music biz world turns into r'n'b duets and psychedelic garage-rock (thanks to Britain's most read newspaper, NME), few are the pop-saviors songwriters that come out of the crowd. Badly Drawn Boy is still great, but last Beth Orton's "Daybreaker" was softly acclaimed and slightly Beck seems to have forgotten his glorious funny experiments of the past. What about Dido....?So, we really needed to take a deep breathe. Now, we just can dig into this excellent debut album, by gifted almost-20 Norwegian Sondre Lerche. These fabulous 11 songs have all the freshness and the light-heartness that a teen's life can have - but surprisingly show a real, already proved talent and lyrics that can be as sweet as consciously funny. Mixing the best Sixties' pop, bossanova swinging rhythms and flourishing melodic ballads, Lerche improves a Brit-based songwriting with an eye on easy jazz structures. His velvety vocals, then, makes it all even more fascinating. And he's only 19 - how has he grown up?All songs definitely need to be mentioned. Proper hit-single "Sleep On Needles" features heart-beat drums and an irresistible duet between Lerche's voice and his guitar, leading to a catchy easy rock end. "You Know So Well", previously released as first single, somehow recalls Beatles' straightforward melodies, and Lerche sweetly sings of a lost love with the soft sorrow of the day after (`But if there's one thing I know it's this / when I lose my sleep it's you I miss'). Possibly there can be several hits. "Dead Passengers" (now released in fact as a single EP in the UK) is warm jazz atmosphere, with deep vocals and a superb bridge at half. "Virtue And Wine" is simply brilliant pop: starts quite like piano-pedals and flows in a grander melody. "No One's Gonna Come" mixes deep piano-lines and beautiful orchestra arrangements, while "All Luck Ran Out" could be built up only on its refrain - awfully catchy.
"Suffused With Love" is a mid-tempo ballad with the Beck-style bright idea of unexpected ghost synth after first chorus. You expect them after last chorus, then - no way.
While acoustic "Side Two" is the saddest episode of the album, "On And Off Again" still has a similar structure as "Virtue And Wine", with thoughtful lyrics (`I've come to see you on and off again'), "Modern Nature" features a lovely duet with female Norwegian songwriter Lillian Samdal. This somehow brings the record a new light.
Final "Things You Call Fate", is unexpectly too long (about 9 minutes) and still reminds of Beck's most melancholic moments.This is a fearless and astonishing debut album, that already strongly shows what songwriting power is. If Lerche keeps on the good work, and doesn't get full of himself after many enthusiastic reviews, he'll go very far. And will surely be included among the "saviors of high-quality pop"."

Unpredictable pop for those sick of predictable pop

Davide | 07/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While surfing around the net looking for information about another great artist named Teitur (check him out too by the way!) I came across the name Sondre Lerche. I went to his website out of curiosity and listened to some of his stuff and was very intrigued by his unique sound. I bought this cd and to be honest, did'nt quite know if I really liked it or not after the first/second listen. I was a bit on the fence. I kept listening, but this time I made a point to put on the headphones and really stop and listen....not just put it on and casually listen. I would suggest this if you too choose to buy this cd. This is "pop music for the thinking person". Sondre Lerche is not afraid to:- Write more complex lyrics. No "have ya naked by the end of this song...." cr@p here.- Mix different generes together. There's a definite Beatles influence, as well as a more classical songwriting (a'la Cole Porter - one of Sondre's idols) style. Add in a bit of classic 60's pop-sound and a little bit of good old fashioned rock 'n roll too.....- Use alot of unique insturmentation. Lots of cool little sounds/insturments. Not just streight foward guitar, bass, drums and occasional keyboard. Sondre has fun with the arrangements and gives you lots of unexpected things to listen for. Bottom line - give it a try. If your looking for something sunny and fun, yet NOT shallow, then Sondre could just be for you. Don't judge it on your first listen, give yourself some time to immerse in it's many layers...."