Declaration of Dependence

Kings of Convenience | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B002LFIZDG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,139 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2009 release, the third album from the Norwegian Pop/Folk duo (Erik Boe and Erlend Oye). Declaration of Dependence is the story of two people living two very different lives sensing that they are immensely more powerful together than apart. In that sense it is the most adult, the most mature record Kings of Convenience have ever made. That it is their most gripping, their most revealing is, if anything, just a by-product of that honesty and their endeavor. "Erlend is a very stubborn individual with extreme belief in his own ideas," says Erik of his partner. "He's very free and creative and his access to unusual and fresh ideas is very good. I find that quite unique. For some reason they are very similar to my ideas on music - we like the same unusualness."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's great to have them back, November 20, 2009

By 

giovanni (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Declaration of Dependence (Audio CD)

Geeky , polite and as sweet as two 6-month old babies , the Kings Of Convenience have won a special place in the hearts of their fans not only for their gentle melodies but also for the wonderful wonderful friendship they display on stage and during interviews . The norwegian Simon & Garfunkel as they are often called , their latest offering " Declaration Of Depedence " comes five years after their sophomore release " Riot In An Empty Street " and remains faithful to their already established sound .. which is a good thing !

It's amazing how rich a sound two acoustic guitars and two voices can produce . The mood here varies from happy ( " Boat Behind " ) to melancholic ( " Me In You " ) to zen-like ( the hypnotic " Scars On Land " ) while the band gives it's listeners lyrics that can be heartbreakingly beautiful ( " ...dreams burn but in ashes are gold " ) or in other occasions , playful and witty ( " we got four eyes so why yearn for one prespective ?.. " they ask , celebrating freedom of thought ) .

This might not be anybody's thing . Rebelious teenagers for example would probably seek for something angrier . This doesn't change the fact though that this is top quality songwritting . People who have enjoyed current pop folk artists before , people who cherished the work of let's say , Tracy Chapman , Suzanne Vega , Feist ofcourse , Jens Lakeman , Jack Johnson and Josh Rouse , will be delighted with this piece of music so well-crafted as an antique classic violin .

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Kings Have Another Solid Album, November 1, 2009

By 

Reviewer (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Declaration of Dependence (Audio CD)

I argue that the Kings of Convenience never got their due in the States. The Kings have a unique sound--minimalistic in many ways but for some reason feels complete in song. The intricate harmonies, limited orchestration, and simple yet elegant music that the Kings have would get drowned out in the pre-teen pop, hard rock, and R&B that fill radio today. That, and their music and lyrics tend to feel like a light depressant and/or therapy for guys thinking about their former girlfriends. Not great for US radio play. But don't let that keep their good music from getting made.

Their latest album, "Declaration Of Dependence" is their first in five years. Over that time, lead singer (sort-of) Erlend Øye released a number of albums, including two with the great Berlin-based "minimalist rock" group Whitest Boy Alive. Eirik Glambek Bøe was less active musically. However, time doesn't have much of an effect on their music, as fans from their earlier albums "Quiet Is The New Loud" and "Riot On An Empty Street" will find the transition to "DoD" easy. I feel like DoD is more similar to some of the softer and tranquil songs of both albums. There isn't as much of a fast-paced effort that "I'd Rather Dance With You" or "Misread" have--this is more like "Parallel Lines" or "The Build Up". That being said, some of the songs they have promoted on their website ("Mrs. Cold" and "Boat Behind") are tremendously catchy and fill that need for a faster tempo, soft-rock (I hate to call it that) feel.

I find the songs on DoD beautiful in the same vein as their past albums but I wonder how often I will listen to them. Are they so likeable that I'll go through dozens of listens like in their past albums? I'm not sure yet, but I'd say that some of their songs are going to get that treatment more than others. The last songs on the album drag with their similarity and maybe I'll end up focusing on the first half of the album. And, that's okay by me. I'll save the full listen of the album for when I visit Scandinavia again. Why? Because this album feels like Scandinavia at its best--tranquil, classy, intelligent, and undeniably pleasant. I've been to a number of cities in Scandinavia, but not Bergen, and I bet if I took the train between Oslo and Bergen this music would fit perfectly with the scenery. Just buy the album and then hop on an SAS jet to Eirik and Erlend's home country. Take a listen as you ride around the beautiful scenery and you'll see what I mean. It's not a standout worth the 5 year wait, but it's still far superior to 99% of the music coming out today.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bout frickin' time!, October 22, 2009

By 

Benny "Ben" (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Declaration of Dependence (Audio CD)

After checking every month for the last few years on an update for a new CD, Declaration of Dependence is finally here. After a few listens, pretty much what one would expect who has followed these two Norwegian guys. A few catchy tunes jump at you right away while others seem to be "forgotten". But over time, those "forgotten" tracks end up being your favorites off the album.

I was hoping for another Feist cameo or some other musician the Kings could introduce me to as they did Feist, but alas no. I do think the violin player is a full-time member now and a good one at that who fits the style and doesn't try to steal the show.

I will say this, if you haven't seen them live, they are phenomenal. I liked their first few CDs but after seeing them live, they went up to one of my favorite bands. Definitely one of the top 3 concerts I've ever seen. Take a bud or two to see them and they'll be instant fans. As of yet, there is no USA shows but they better get their arses over here!!