Customer Reviews

Don't Be Shallow

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dapper Norwegian wunderkind Sondre Lerche follows up his stellar debut album, *Faces Down*, with an equally winning EP split evenly between four outtakes and a handful of live tracks to form *Don't Be Shallow*. "Don't Be Shallow" and "I Know I Know" have melodies as charming as anything on *Faces Down*, albeit with a little more experimental leanings. After the opening military drum march, Lerche does Getz & Gilberto proud on "Living Lounge." "Single-hand Affairs" examines the constant quest for love, known all too well for some of us, with it's refrain of 'We should've come home in pairs / Instead we have second-hand affairs.' The last half of *Don't Be Shallow* is four live staples from Lerche's seemingly endless tour of North America in 2003 supporting acts as diverse as Nada Surf, Elvis Costello, Ed Harcourt, Jason Mraz, and Liz Phair. "Dead Passengers" loses a lot of the original's bounce but is quickly redeemed by this live take on "You Know So Well" coming off like John Cusack in Say Anything, except with a 12-string in place of a boombox. Closing off the EP is a rather brooding "Sleep On Needles" and a jazzy-croon verion of the Cole Porter classic, "Night And Day." At a youthful twenty years old, Sondre Lerche blends his flair for the international samba stylings of the past with the modern electronic accentuations of today creating a sound best described as ... postmodern lounge.

Fave tracks: "Don't Be Shallow," "Single-hand Affairs," "You Know So Well."

What can be said about Sondre Lerche? One of the best, most original, exciting acts out there. He's light years ahead of his time and has filled his cd's with wonderful tunes. This EP sees 4 fantastic live tracks. Sleep on needles Live is worth ten bucks alone. The sound and energy this boy get's out of one guiatr, all by himself on stage is amazing. Don't be Shallow, the title EP was cut from Faces Down (understandably it doesn't fit there) but is among his best lighter, faster, wackier songs. THIS IS A DON'T MISS ALBUM. As is Faces Down and the Dead Passengers EP

Sondre Lerche continues to amaze me. With this 8 song EP, he once again proves his incredible talent. This EP includes 4 previously unreleased studio tracks and 4 live tracks. The studio tracks are quite good; however, could use a little more instrumentation. The live tracks are what makes this cd stand out. His soaring vocals and creative guitar work showcase his unbelievable live show, which is something no human should go without seeing. A perfect EP to tide us over until his next full length release.

Even though there are only 4 new songs and 3 live tracks (from the last album) + one live cover, this CD is worth every cent! It's awesome!

I first discovered this album, as well as Sondre Lerche, about 3 months ago when I was hurting from the loss of Elliott Smith and looking for a living substitute, as bad as that sounds. This album certainly filled the void. Although far poppier and much more upbeat than most of my favorite albums, this CD has earned a special place on the top of the shelf for having a personality of it's own. The haunting "you know so well" and the beautifully crafted diamond of a title track make this EP well worth the cash if you want to hear some first rate, alive and healthy songwriting sung.

All I can say is wow! This is a must get album, full of old favs.