release date: Apr. 20, 2015
format: vinyl (Mellem 02 lp) / digital (10 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,12]
producer: Mads Brinch Nielsen
label: Mellemblond (self-released) - nationality: Denmark
Track highlights: 1. "Fra et sted" - 2. "Ryster" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Ned i et hul" (4 / 5) - 5. "Glimtvis" - 6. "Jeg må le" - 7. "Nord" - 8. "Til ilden" (4,5 / 5) - 9. "Barfodet"
[ SoundCloud playlist ] [ full album ]
3rd studio album by Mellemblond (aka Kristoffer Munck Mortensen) following two years after the album Lysvågen has so far only been released on vinyl, for streaming through various services, and for digital download as a self-released album.
Not only has the album been established with a strong production sound balancing the style somewhere between garage rock, neo-psychedelia and singer / songwriter, but it also contains a number of truly great songs, which makes this music-project one of the most interesting Danish acts at the moment. This is not yet another artist simply copying styles and movements on the international music scene. Instead, it's highly original with reminiscences of, or a unique conglomerate of psychedelic rock of the late 60s, swamp rock of the early 70s and folk rock in a 60s / 70s / 80s kind-of-style.
I really enjoy this album, which I initially only purchased for digital download. The streaming and download sound quality was, however, for the first years limited to mp3-format in 320kbps. I really missed having the opportunity to be able to purchase a cd with liner notes and listening to high-end sound quality, but I guess, that's how things are to be for the time being. Artists who have little backup from a record label need to fund everything themselves and quite naturally they (have to) choose what makes things go around, and then most consumers are satisfied with Spotyfie and bApple Music services... as well as a Sönos [mono !] speaker that goes well with the furniture... [ffs!!]. Fortunately, the album also comes in vinyl format, and that is the right choice.
On previous releases Mortensen provided great tracks and quite original lyrics, but here it just seems like he really has found his feet as a more comfortable songwriter and on top of that also showcases an ability of composing simple, elegant and truly sincere music cut to the bone.
Fra et sted sums up the past six decades of folk rock and psychedelic rock with bonds to the best songwriting talents combined with a quality stamp as warranty of Danish poetry. It's truly remarkable and easily the so far best album from this gifted artist. It also happens to be my absolute favourite of 2015, a rare verdict when comparing to international releases but this is already an all-time favourite and naturally a highly recommended album.
[ Gaffa.dk 5 / 6, Undertoner 4,5 / 6 stars ]
//--- EDIT 2021:
As of 2021 the album has been made available in FLAC-format (Qobuz.com + bandcamp.com). ---//
2015 Favourite releases: 1. Mellemblond Fra et sted - 2. Paul Weller Saturns Pattern - 3. Alabama Shakes Sound & Color
