Birds of Passage [Import]

Bel Canto | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 4, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Warner Sweden
• ASIN: B00004SEE1
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,188 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Birds Of Passage is a wonderful release. A huge assortment of acoustic and wind instruments were brought in to support the computer synthesis of Nils and vocal incantations of Anneli. Geir is back with some of the keyboards and programming again and many others join the trio in the studio to bring instruments like the flugelhorn, viola, cello, clarinet and more. Live drums were even used. But though all of these instruments and a half dozen more people than W-O C are included here, the sound is still wonderfully arranged while deliciously complicated. It is here that you begin to notice BC's use of more standard instruments and sounds to complement the programmed synthesizer melodies. 11 tracks. Warner. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!, August 2, 2001

By 

Lord Chimp (Monkey World) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birds of Passage (Bel) (Audio CD)

The second release from the unique Norwegian group Bel Canto is a significant improvement over White-Out Conditions, which was already a fine album. On Birds of Passage, Bel Canto marries the gorgeous female vocals of Anneli Drecker, frosty and languid synth textures, subtle electronica rhythms, and ethnic touches. The difference here compared to White-Out Conditions is that the group has expanded their lush sonic tapestry with more diverse instruments (violins, cellos, trumpets, dynamic keyboards, "stardust," whatever that is...). Also, the overall sound is much warmer because Drecker's voice sounds soooo much prettier on this album. She has abandoned that clipped form of singing that sometimes irked me on the previous album, and now she lets the words flow with grace and fine control. Her voice is the main instrument, and she more commanding by not flaunting her singing ability and just singing with the song. When she's not singing low and spooky, as on the Depeche Mode-ish "Intravenous" or parts of "Look 3", she has one of the prettiest voices out there. On one song, "Time Without End," Drecker is accompanied by bandmate Nils Johansen on vocals, and their harmonies create a nice effect, even if Johansen isn't that great a singer. Most songs are slow-tempo beauties, although there's the feisty, Mediterranean-flavored "The Glassmaker," where Drecker whoops and coos playfully, and "Oyster," where Drecker sounds a little peppier, with a lovely and cool melody fixing the chorus. Drecker's voice will melt you on this song. By the way, if anyone's wondering what Bel Canto means, I think it's Italian for "beautiful song." Fitting name, methinks.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply my favorite album, December 19, 2003

By 

Robert T. Nicholson (Sunnyvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Birds of Passage (Bel) (Audio CD)

Haunting melodies, poetic lyrics, incredible vocals. Bel Canto is the best "unknown group" you will ever find.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Primitive world pop????, October 12, 2003

By 

Clarissa "MoonGoddess" (Ontario, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Birds of Passage (Bel) (Audio CD)

Bel Canto is a native Norwegian group that's hard to categorize, and that's an understatement. I could easily praise this band with every honorable word in the dictionary but you'd still be left feeling clueless because they've got such a unique sound that's entirely their own. At times you'll think the lyrics are made up of their own creative tongue set to the passion of the moment, kind of like Dead Can Dance and Ekova's strangely affective method, but they're mostly sung in English or other foreign languages. The music in itself leaves so much open to the imagination and the vocals of Anneli Drecker never cease to amaze me. She's got a spellbinding voice that fits in with the dreamy, haunting, whimsical sounds that Nils Johansen concocts perfectly. The musicianship is impeccable and every cord strung oozes magic and mystery. I just love how they use such a varied assortment of instruments, especially their trademark bouzouki, mandolin and trumpet. This group has definitely evolved through the years, always good at what they're doing, but 'Birds Of Passage', their second and last release with founding member Geir Jenssen, proves to be my favorite - just behind their masterful 'Shimmering Warm and Bright', of course. I haven't heard their most recent 'Dorothy's Victory' yet but I'm hoping to buy that with Anneli's solo album, 'Tundra', later this year because I'm nutso over Bel Canto and wanna acquire everything brought out by them!