De efterladte "Alvorsord og etagevask" (2013)

digipack cover

Alvorsord og etagevask
release date: Sep. 30, 2013
format: cd (melo 011)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,12]
producer: De Efterladte and Boi Holm
label: Melodika - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Alting om igen" (live session) - 2. "Kursiv" - 3. "Fugleskræmsel" - 4. "Levende hegn" - 5. "Der hænger en uro" - 6. "U.t." - 9. "Håbet kommer til byen" - 10. "Du fandt ikke dig selv"

2nd studio album by the Danish singer / songwriter duo De efterladte released on Melodika and produced by 'the band' with Boi Holm. The debut album Traditionen utro (2011) introduced a simpler musical soundscape than lyricist & vocalist Peter H. Olesen and guitarist Michael Lund played when performing for the brothers Olesen-Olesen, and on the duo's second album this is simplified to a greater extent. Here, the additional backing band is scarcely noticeable - as what you mostly hear is Olesen's vocal on top of Lund's twangy or acoustically sounding guitars.
The debut was met by positive reviews and is a fine and interesting album that most of their countrymen simply ignored. Unfortunately, they do not appeal to a broader public, which also may have been the reason as to why Peter H. Olesen and his brother Henrik decided to call it a day with their fine project Olesen-Olesen after 7 studio albums released over a ten year period. Now one can only hope this duo will ignore low sales and just embrace the fine reviews that their albums receive.
Alvorsord og etagevask was met by critical acclaim and songwriter Peter Olesen was nominated the critics' prize Steppeulven for Årets tekstforfatter [songwriter of the year].
Peter is making brilliant music with guitarist Michael Lund and their style is largely influenced and associated with singer / songwriter and alt. folk, and a more dominant sound of americana on this particular release. Olesen narrates in his usual melancholic way about simple things in life and Lund adds a beautiful surf guitar creating an ambient and spherical touch almost completely without bass and drums or other instrumentation except for quiet percussion, synthesizer noice and glockenspiel. Peter Olesen has always written quite unique lyrics, and has a strong poetic profile. It's almost as if this has become even more accentuated with the new duo, and he often reminds me of the late Danish poet Dan Turrell.
This album is an even stronger release than their fine debut, and it's no less than one of my absolute favourite releases of 2013.
[ Gaffa.dk 6 / 6, Berlingske, Undertoner 5 / 6 stars ]

2013 Favourite releases: 1. Arctic Monkeys AM - 2. Tindersticks Across Six Leap Years - 3. De efterladte Alvorsord og etagevask

De efterladte "Traditionen utro" (2011)

Traditionen utro [debut]
release date: Jun. 6, 2011
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Peter H. Olesen & Michael Lund
label: Melodika - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Sangen selv" (live) - 2. "Nedenom og hjem" (4 / 5) (live) - 4. "Godmorgen kynisme" (live) - 5. "Du lever og har det godt og bor et sted på Sjælland" - 8. "Mit sortsyn" (4 / 5) (live) - 10. "Med let hånd" - 13. "Den nye sang er en gammel sang" (live with CS Nielsen)

Studio debut album by the Danish duo De efterladte ['The Abandoned'] is the beginning of a highly interesting duo consisting of one half of the brother-project Olesen-Olesen, songwriter and vocalist Peter H. Olesen - here without his younger brother Henrik but instead together with guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Michael Lund with whom he composed two songs for the final album, Kain & Abel (2007) with Olesen-Olesen - the second of these compositions is titled "Til de efterladte" ['For the abandoned'], which has given name to the duo. Lund was also among the stable live musicians when the duo toured. Several other additional musicians contribute on the album including Boi Holm, who also mixed the album.
According to Peter H. Olesen [from the official website] he met with Lund after the split of Olesen-Olesen to rehearse and compose new songs to what he thought would be upcoming solo recordings - not unlike what his younger brother Henrik released in 2010 as Ukendt Under Andet Navn - and then he realised that it was more of a collaboration work.
The style isn't far from the former brother-project but it has become much more simple mostly featuring only Olesen's vocal accompanied by Lund's guitar thus emphasising the lyrical side quite substantially. Some compositions are shaped with clear references to rock & roll, chamber pop, americana, or folk rock inspiration and others are simply spoken-word poems accompanied with guitar.
Peter Olesen undoubtedly has a talent with words, and it's truly nice to listen to his lyrics, trying to understand what puzzles him about words, phrases, or sensations, and the new-found sound with Lund makes this a nice journey. Lund is also credited for the cover.
[ Gaffa.dk, Undertoner 4 / 6, Soundvenue 3 / 6 stars ]

Ukendt Under Andet Navn "Ukendt Under Andet Navn" (2010) (ep)

Ukendt Under Andet Navn, ep
release date: Jun. 1, 2010
format: cd (ukendt 001)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,38]
producer: Henrik Olesen, Thomas Thomsen
label: Melodika - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: 1. "Skridt" - 2. "Korsvej" - 3. "Det gamle, det ny" - 4. "Hjertet" - 5. "Alt som det skal være"

Studio solo ep debut by Henrik Olesen released under the moniker Ukendt Under Andet Navn is a 5-track ep with a running time just below 14 mins. Together with older brother Peter, the two played and released music over a decade from 1997 to 2007 as Olesen-Olesen, and now as they have split, primary songwriter Peter has been occupied as an author, and Henrik has taken up his musical collaboration work with Solveig Sandness in the duo-led musical project Er De Sjældne together with Lone Hørslev. With Sandness, Henrik had taken part as guitarist in the early formation of the Danish / Swedish / Icelandic band Lovebites from 1995 to 2000, while still focusing on his music-project with Peter. In the band Er De Sjældne, he contributes on various guitars whereas the songs remain credited Hørslev (lyrics) and Sandness (music), in collaboration and perhaps this led him to establish his own musical project. Here, he is in complete control - handling all instruments except cello, and he's credited as composer of all music.
Musically, it's like a combo of all his musical engagements throughout the past decade. Tracks #1, #3 and #4 in particular share the musical foundation with Olesen-Olesen with a strong singer / songwriter and subtle folk rock approach, tracks #2 and #5 have a harsher tone bonding more with the post-punk sound that was heard in Greene, where track #5 also reflects an influence from the more pop-shaped universe of Lovebites, but altogether it's still a rather coherent collection of fine and almost minimalist compositions.
Henrik has always represented the lighter tone of the brothers Olesen, and on this, he also demonstrates that he is a talented songwriter, although, the strongest side to the five songs is the musical dimension. This short album serves as a nice document of the musical qualities of at least one half of the brothers Olesen, and then it leaves you with a taste for more.
[ Undertoner 4 / 6 stars - review from diskant.dk ]

Olesen-Olesen "Kain og Abel" (2007)

(Henrik & Peter)

Kain og Abel
release date: Oct. 1, 2007
format: 2 cd (melo 005)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,52]
producer: Nikolaj Nørlund; Peter Olesen, Rune Borup, Torsten Larsen
label: Melodika - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: Disc 1): 1. "Drømmen om et liv" - 2. "Jeg har aldrig haft et job" - 5. "Fyraften" - 7. "Søn af en revisor" - 9. "Sen sne" - - Disc 2): 1. "I kulkælderen på 3. sal" - 3. "Jeg har valgt at være ulykkelig" - 6. "Jeg drømte jeg var et godt menneske" - 8. "Til de efterladte" - 10. "Det skønne og det sande"

7th and final studio album by Olesen-Olesen released on Melodika is a 2-disc album, where disc 1 is mainly produced by Nikolaj Nørlund, and all tracks on disc 2 are produced by Peter Olesen, Rune Borup, Torsten Larsen, and with Tore Johansen as co-producer on tracks #1, #8 and #9. Apart from referring to the Biblical brothers, the album title also pays tribute to the Danish poet Morti Vizki (aka Morten Boeslund Poulsen), who had been found dead in Sep. 2004 at the age of 41 - Vizki wrote the text "To monologer: Abel og Kain" ['Two monologues: Cain and Abel'] and he wrote the poem "Drømmen om et liv" for which Henrik composed accompanying music.
The album is basically a "2-in-1" album, as each disc contains songs exclusively written by either of the two brothers, and in a way gives you two solo albums released as a double album. Disc 1 contains songs exclusively composed by guitarist Henrik Olesen [Abel] in collaboration with other songwriters. Three of these have lyrics by Peter, one is written by Jens Unmack, and one is by Morti Vizki. Disc 2 are songs written by songwriter and vocalist Peter H. Olesen [Kain], mostly with other musical composers of which four are composed by Torsten Larsen, four are credited Klaus Mandal Hansen, one is by Michael Lund, one by Henrik Olesen, and one song has music composed by Peter himself. In this way they also point to their future musical split after having worked together in several bands and projects for more than three decades. Their first releases together were with the band Sort-Hvide Landskaber back in the early '80s. After that they released two tapes as Skizo Kids - for this project Peter was credited as Kain and Henrik as Abel. Soon after they continued in the band Greene, with whom they released three full-length studio albums before founding their duo-project, Olesen-Olesen. And now with Kain og Abel this has also come to an end, and a full circle has been drawn.
I don't know anything about the decision to split after all these years, but in the years to follow they have remained parted. Naturally, it's a rather special album with the two brothers having arranged and written the songs for each disc on their own, and with the help of other artists. I can't tell which of the two discs is the better, as they both have obvious forces. Disc 1 generally contains most up-tempo and positive expressions of songs in a style closely related to that of their former band, Greene, and Disc 2 represents the lyrically most interesting compositions - and in a style that bonds more with that of their most recent works together.
"Til de efterladte" is a fine poem accompanied by music which forecasts the upcoming project De efterladte in more than one sense. The title is one thing, as it's also written together with guitarist Michael Lund, who takes part in the project with Peter H. Olesen. The album as such, is not among the best by the brothers and whether or not the title and the Christian allegory with two brothers in conflict has any bearing in the split remains uncertain. Peter continued his artistic work by writing novels, poems, and eventually by initiating the musical duo De efterladte, whereas Henrik continued as additional guitarist for the duo, Er De Sjældne with Solveig Sandnes (ex Lovebites) and Lone Hørslev, and then he was the first of the two brothers to initiate his own musical project, Ukendt Under Andet Navn.
[ Gaffa.dk, Soundvenue 4 / 6 stars ]

Olesen-Olesen "Solsort og forstærker" (2005)

Solsort og forstærker
release date: Oct. 3, 2005
format: cd (melo 003) / vinyl (2017 reissue, white vinyl)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,64]
producer: Nikolaj Nørlund
label: Melodika / Wouldn't Waste Records - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "November mere end nogensinde" (4 / 5) - 2. "Du er så tæt på jeg ikke kan se dig" - 4. "Alt er Ørnsbo i dag" - 7. "Mit job" - 11. "Jeg lytter til country langt ude på landet"

6th studio album by Olesen-Olesen and the duo's third release on Melodika is their first to be produced by Nikolaj Nørlund. With a new producer, the brothers here engage in a more rock-styled sound than heard on the predecessor, Hårdnakket idyl from 2003. The album links better with their first two albums mixed with the style from their former band, Greene, but in that respect it doesn't really bring about much new.

I don't find it among the duo's better albums, although, it's far from bad. It's just their first album not to bring something new, either musically, stylistically or lyrically. Naturally, it's not always a mission just to foster novelty if you have your own unique style and sound, and this duo has often shown to wander its own ways, but with a return to what sounds more like influences from other artists, I don't find is the brightest move. A track like "Alt er Ørnsbo i dag" sounds like an alt. rock version of PJ Harvey in a session with Pixies and despite being a fine track, it brings a little disorder to the overall direction to the album. Other tracks have a clear country-rock feel, which bonds more with their more recent albums, and there are also traces of post-punk, alt. rock, folk rock and indie rock, which makes it less of a coherent, experience, although, the lyrics are strong as usual.

[ Gaffa.dk, Soundvenue 4 / 6 stars ]

Olesen-Olesen "Hårdnakket idyl" (2003)

Hårdnakket idyl
release date: Oct. 27, 2003
format: cd (melo 002)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,86]
producer: Henrik Olesen and Troels Bech
label: Melodika - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Studier af skyer" (4 / 5) - 2. "Ved en å" (4,5 / 5) - 4. "Jeg ser det ske" - 5. "I det hus du kalder dit hjem" - 10. "Udsatte egne" - 12. "Schade" - 13. "Ved godt mod" (4 / 5)

5th studio album by Olesen-Olesen is the band's second release on its own label, Melodika, and this time the brother's Olesen have put the production responsibility in the hands of younger brother Henrik and Troels Bech (from The Poets) who is also credited as co-arranger.
The musical style of Olesen-Olesen is rather unique, although, all their albums are slightly different from one another. This is the band's so far most quiet singer / songwriter and folk rock release, and this time, it's also more simple with less focus on chamber pop elements. The music seems reduced to a more simple form and the lyrics are concentrated on a country-side lifestyle focusing on discreet everyday details. I find it very enjoyable.
[ Gaffa.dk 6 / 6 stars ]

Olesen-Olesen "Anonyme melankolikere" (2002)

Anonyme melankolikere
release date: Apr. 2, 2002
format: cd (melo 001)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,68]
producer: Olesen-Olesen
label: Melodika - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Anonyme melankolikere (som folk er flest)" - 2. "På Eik Skaløes Plads" - 3. "Sådan skulle livet altid være" - 4. "Husråd og mundheld" - 5. "Alle linier er optagede" - 6. "I en storm af metaforer" - 10. "Ikke langt herfra"

4th studio album by Olesen-Olesen follows two years after Dagens gerning is the brothers' first release on their own new-founded label Melodika. It's self-produced and contains 10 tracks with a total running time at just over 41 mins.
Musically, it doesn't represent major changes, although, it appears as less orchestrated when comparing to Der er brev fra Onkel Bob i Amerika (Sep. 2000).
The album is another truly fine release of well-known Danish folk rock and singer / songwriter melodies, and an overall more subdued and laid-back album, and perhaps more sinister compared to the duo's most recent album.
I really enjoy this album too, which simply was completely ignored at the time of its release. At this point of their career, I guess the brothers Olesen must have seen the irony of what may have felt like a continuous artistic acclaim that doesn't always go hand in hand with commercial success. The duo has nearly always been met by fine reviews but at the same time never succeeded in selling more than a few hundred copies of their albums. I think, Olesen-Olesen is one of the best Danish artists in the late '90s and in the new millennium up until the duo's disbandment in 2007. This album only verifies that.
[ Gaffa.dk 4 / 6 stars ]