Search - Taken By Trees :: Open Field

Taken By Trees

Rupa Ved | 08/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Victoria Bergsman debut album entitled Open Field proves to be just as remarkable as her previous contribution to music, offering melancholy melodies that are both haunting and hopeful. Former lead singer and violinist left her band The Concretes in July 2006, which freed Bergsman to create compositions that came most naturally to her: songs with a greater emphasis on vocals against the performance of sparse instrumentation. Co-produced by Bergsman herself and Peter Bjorn, Open Fields was created by recording the vocals first and later adding a variety of instruments as needed, unlike The Concretes, whose plethora of instruments pervade each song. For her solo project, Bergsman's aim was for her vocals to overshadow musical arrangements. Her light, airy voice offers a strong, yet subtle sound against the background of graceful and modest percussion, strings and piano.

The band name Taken by Trees stems from Bergsman love of the outdoors and the simplicity of nature, especially trees. Her graceful songs reflect her connection to nature, and it is nature that seems to aid her creativity. Despite Bergsman's goal to let her voice permeate the songs, there are purely instrumental tracks that evoke the same subtlety of Bergsman's voice without the need for any vocals. The track "Open Fields" involves a full orchestra of woodwind and string instruments, providing a hopeful and deep bodied harmony that beseeches a listen. The lovesick lullaby "Lost and Found" demonstrates Bergsman's ability to allow her voice to stand on its own, consisting of minimal guitar and piano, with lyrics depicting heartbreak and the need to cure lovesickness. Though the songs are entirely delicate and peaceful, they contain sensitive themes of lost love, the rapid passage of time and the general observance of natural surroundings.

Bergsman solemn lyrics are uplifted by the playful, light instrumentation that supplement her enchanting voice. This dichotomy of her somber voice coupled with the captivating and fluid rhythm of minimal instrumentation leaves the listener in a state of obscurity and speculation, in addition to an intimate sense of a voice left with only the echo of fading instruments. The record proves to be a poignant and beautiful new beginning for Victoria Bergsman."

Great album

Captain Blvd | Warminster, PA USA | 11/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As an avid fan of Swedish and Icelandic music, particularly jazz/chillout and folk, Open Field became one of my favorites after the first listen. Victoria Bergsman's beautiful voice is accompanied by first-class musicanship, notably the contribution of Bjorn Yittling and Kohn Eriksson of Peter, Bjorn and John. While comparisons do injustice to the individuality of the artists compared, Open Field "Taken by Trees" is ideal for fans of Bliss, Zero 7 and Tenderfoot. I can't think of one track that disappointed me. An easy 5-star selection."