Customer Reviews

Melodica

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4 star:		(1)
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With an album name like "Melodica," the Norwegian electronica band Frost has given itself a lot to live up to. And amazingly, it does live up to its title. Cool, sweet and sensuous, this is a collection of trip-hop laced with angelic vocals. It's definitely "melodica."

Starting off with the plaintive, sweeping "Pharmacy," Frost bounces off into a series of shimmery dance music (the sultry "Alphabet," bouncy "Sink," and blipping "Amygdala") and sweeping trip-hop ballads (the echoing "Half-Whole," the gentle "Duo") and the occasional mix of both (the mind-blowing dancepop "Magika"). Finally rounding it off is a remix of "Endless Love," and two of "Amygdala" (one too synthesized and poppy, the other sweet and soft).

Frost proves that good trip-hop comes from Norway as well as Iceland. The effect of listening to "Melodica" is like looking at a snow-covered forest in the sunshine -- it's beautiful, both chilly and warm and thoroughly beautiful. Despite being rooted in eighties dreampop, the sound of Frost is un-dated, and entirely its own.

Aggie Peterson slips effortlessly into the slot beside Emiliana Torrini as a trip-hop chanteuse. Her voice is sweet, and sometimes sultry, switching in tone from song to song (such as the angelic echoes in "Half Whole"). When the music chills you, her ethereal vocals warm you. Except for some nu-jazz trumpeting and vague drumming (and what sounds a little like an organ), most of the music is made up of electobeeps and sonic sweeps.

Frost's ethereal "Melodica" sounds like the Cocteau Twins did a bunch of Portishead covers, starring Peterson's chilly vocal allure. A uniformly lovely experience, and a truly unique sound.

I was first introduced to Frost on "Perfecto Chills vol.1", Paul Oakenfold's first foray into chill out music. The song was "Amygdala" and ironically enough, it was remixed by Royksopp. I loved the lush electronic beats and the sensual vocals of Aggie Peterson. I immediately put "Melodica" on my wish list. Today on a recent jaunt to Cheapo records, I found a used copy of "Melodica". The cd quickly became one of the four cds I bought today. As soon as I got home today from running errands, I threw "Melodica" into the cd player. The results was a heavenly experience. I was quickly reminded of Scandinavian electronica duo Royksopp. And the Royksopp comparisons is obvios throughout the entire album. The album is peppered with smooth electronic beats with the occasional foray into disco and drum & bass. Vocalist Aggie Petersen reminded me of both Bjork and Portishead's Beth Gibbons. She has a nice soothing voice. One of my favorite songs on the cd is "Endless Love" (and no it isn't the cheesy '80s ballad). It is the most upbeat song on the entire song, very disco-ey. I thought the song had a nice groove to it. Of course it had to be remixed by Royksopp. I love both the original and the remix versions of "Amygdala" which got me into Frost to begin with. If "Melodica" is a sign for what is to come in Frost's future then I look forward to hearing and buying more music from them. "Melodica" is a stunning debut album for this avid music listener.

Scandinavia has no shortage of great trip-hop, and Frost throws its weight around with the US release of MELODICA. And while it doesn't immediately make an impression, there are some valiant attempts ("Running Boy," "Amygdala"), they don't quite make it to the head of the pack. "Half-Whole" has strong hints of the Cocteau Twins throughout, and "Duo" has a romantic dreaminess to it, while "Klong" has a sax-based jazz vibe. "Sink" picks up the pace a bit. But when Royksopp step in to funk up "Endless Love," things really get moving. Mental Overdrive and Qwerty also put in their version of "Amygdala," perhaps paving the way for future production assistance? I think that'd be a step in the right direction.

I was doing a little record shopping today when I came across Melodica by Frost. I used to own a copy of the cd several years ago but sold it for much needed cash. I decided to buy it because I really missed hearing their brand of trip hop music. Frost consists of Aggie E. Peterson and Per Martinsen. I first heard of Frost on a Paul Oakenfold compilation with their song "Amygdala". After hearing the album for the first time in seven years, I was struck by how much Frost's music reminded me of Melankton. Melodica and Melankton shares the same slick, icy, seductive trip hop beats and Bjork-influenced vocals. All of the songs still sounds fresh and invigorating to me as I first heard it back in 2003. I certainly recommend this album to anyone who enjoys trip hop music as much as I do.

I bought this on a whim after Amazon recommended it. The singer has an absolutely gorgeous voice and the music is very relaxing. If you like some of the older Bjork stuff, there are some similarities. Very catchy songs and melodies, and I am absolutely glad I bought this album. I've listened to it about 6 times in the week or so I've had it.