Englaborn [Import]

Jóhann Jóhannsson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 29, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Touch
• ASIN: B00008BXFL
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,498 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Odi et Amo

2. Englabörn

3. Jói & Karen

4. Þetta gerist á bestu bæjum

5. Sálfræðingur

6. Eg sleppi þér aldrei

7. Sálfræðingur deyr

8. Bað

9. Ég heyrði allt án þess að hlusta

10. Karen býr til engil

11. Englabörn - tilbrigði

12. Ég átti gráa æsku

13. Krókódill

14. Ef ég hefði aldrei...

15. ...eins og venjulegt fólk

16. Odi et Amo - bis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too beautiful to imagine., March 25, 2003

By 

Alec "Alec" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Englaborn (Audio CD)

Jonhann Johannsson's first solo release, Englaborn, is one of the most fantastic and amazing things I've heard in a long time. The only other piece of information I know of Jonhannsson is his eclectic other group, Apparat Organ Quartet, is pretty friggin' good. However, if you like music in that vein, then this is not your ticket. This entire album sounds like a string quartet with synthetic overtones, making me believe Johannsson wrote the music, had the quartet play, and then put his own intricities in.

Needless to say, they are nothing short of fantastic. This entire disc sounds like a desperate movie score for the twenty-first century, with strings haunting back on old and dying memories. Amazingly, this entire cd feels beyond cohesive, with each track playing it's part and paying into amazing songwriting. The true beauty of this cd is the vast space within it: there is so much missing from each song that you are forced to think, and even though you may listen to it passively, you'll never be struck with a moment of dischord. Blissful and amazing arranging of music keeps us going, with only a few tracks incorporating more than just the strings/piano. The emotional content is provided by the listener: the light descends and twinkling tones of the music is entirely conducive to your own emotional status, and therefore, this album is entirely yours, regardless of what other people think of it.

Johannsson has created a real masterpiece here that will be overlooked. If you are a fan of music that exists not just to be beautiful, but is beautiful in every aspect, look no further.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For fans of modern minimal classical music., December 6, 2008

By 

Jon - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Englabörn (Audio CD)

read the title for this review. that basically sums it up. modern. minimal. classical. sparse and droning in parts. highly tense and melodic in other parts. a few minor electric nuances here and there. fans of max richter would probably enjoy this album. if you liked johannsson's other albums you'll probably like this one too. this album gets a 4.5 out of 5 stars from me (and not just 4). recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Album from One of the Best 'Post-Classical' Composers in the World, May 13, 2010

By 

kiyosi yobuko "kiyosi yobuko" (Santa Monica, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Englabörn (Audio CD)

I have to disagree with the reviewer who is unable to find anything memorable in this album - every piece is beautifully melodic. While Englaborn is definitely more of a minimalist approach than, say, Fordlandia, it is by no means any less evocative. Johannson is among the most capable of modern, "post-classical" composers I've heard.

Also: If you're fortunate enough to enjoy a live Johann Johannson performance you won't be disappointed... .

Highly Recommended!