Velvet Grooves

What is immediate about this record is the Sufjan Stevens sound to it. With 'Faintest Of Sparks' I thought I'd put the wrong CD in. The Banjo, Sufjan voice and xylophones - It's beautiful... I was hooked. Then the full band score comes in, and it just gets better. It's a mellow introduction and it does it well, blending full on heavy percussion until a Piano comes in and all comes to life. Splllllendid!

'Chores Of The Heart' takes the album into a more serious direction as things get more concentrated. Things become more Americana in sound (which is funny considering they're from Sweden!), and as I listen to this more, my interest grows. The album takes on themes from imagery presented by Swedish authors. Forgiveness, redemption, and hard life. Initially it's difficult to see all these unless you really listen in and eventually start to pick out the little touches hidden, which eventually project this into full blossom...

As the album goes on, we're presented with more instruments which gradually mature the album more and more. The good thing is, there's never 'too much' going on - they manage to create a good balance without losing their touch which is a good achievement.

The emotions kept within the album reflect well with the tone of the songs. Whilst the lyrics are full of darkness (hopelessness and despair), the tone of the album seems to suggest something positive which is good as it means you have to concentrate to find its true meaning. Applaud them you must! Great album!