release date: May 25, 2003
format: cd (DEMCD01)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,72]
producer: Kim Nelson; Katharina Nuttall & Cecile Grudet
label: DetErMine Records / V2 - nationality: Norway
Track highlights: 1. "Humming One of Your Songs" (4 / 5) (live - live) - 2. "Are They Saying Goodbye?" - 3. "On Off" - 4. "I Shot My Heart" - 7. "One More Time" - 9. "What I Want" - 11. "Wooden Body" (live)
Studio album debut by Norwegian soloist Ane Brun (aka Ane Kvien Brunvoll) released with assistance from V2 on the small independent label DetErMine, founded by the three singer / songwriter friends: Ane Brun, Canadian Wendy McNeill, and Swedish Ellekari Larsson (from the band The Tiny) - the album number reveals this as the first on the label, DEMCD01. From 2009 Brun exclusively releases her albums on her own label Balloon Ranger Recordings, however, these releases still comes with the catalog numbers beginning initiated with 'DEM' + continued numbers, either in respect of her co-founded early label, or simply because she has took over the old label when realising her own label. Ane Brun was born and raised in Molde in Norway, but she has been living in Sweden since 1999.
Spending Time With Morgan is mainly acoustic folk rock in a singer / songwriter format with elements from chamber pop and with strong ties to a predominantly American tradition, which in terms of style and genre has much in common with Danish Marie Frank and Tina Dickow, and which especially brings to mind the legacy of Joni Mitchell. That said, Brun is in another league with a stronger international appeal than her Danish colleagues, who cannot escape a national touch and an aspect of imitation.
Both music and lyrics here are Brun's own, and although you may find clear bonds to well-known styles and other artists, the album exudes a self-assured individuality with its quiet, introverted tone, and Brun's vocals suit the simple arrangements most brilliantly.
A very fine and promising debut.
[ Gaffa.dk 4 / 6 stars ]
