Morning Star

Flunk | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Kriztal Records
• ASIN: B0002XEDKS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,175 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #21 in Music > World Music > Europe > Scandinavia > Norway

Editorial Reviews

Flunk's debut album "For Sleepyheads Only" introduced the US to Norway's stylish synth pop trio of Ulf Nygaard (producer and vocalist), singer Anja Øyen Vister, guitarist Jo Bakke and associated member, drummer Erik Ruud. Their cover of New Order's "Blue Monday" gave them not only critical acclaim but a large following from the track appearing on a slew of stateside releases. Described as "woozy, gauzy, muted, blurry and very groovy", Flunk occupies that unlikely place between folk and electronica. At once organic and studio-tweaked, the Flunk sound layers Björk-like Anja's creamy, dreamy vocals over a hushed base of samples, keys, and softly strummed guitars, creating an ethereal, past-midnight vibe. On Morning Star, they have evolved this sound further creating a pure indie sound with less emphasis on electronica.

In keeping with Flunk's tradition of New Order covers, on Morning Star we are treated to a live studio recording of "True Faith". Morning Star also delivers very strong original material with the title track "Morning Star", as well as "On My Balcony", "Blind My Mind", and "Probably" showcasing the superb songwriting talents of Flunk.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a soothing delight and it's smoothing my life, August 26, 2005

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Morning Star (Audio CD)

"All I wanna do/Is sit here on my balcony/And think about you and me/And how happy we could be..."

Norwegian band Flunk achieve near perfection in "Morning Star," their second "folktronic" album. Languid, mellow and charmingly catchy, this is also graced with angelic vocals and a sense of romantic realism. It's an album for people drunk on love, but with a taste for heartbreak.

It opens with a slow sweep of electronica and sweet vocals: "Everyone/Every singer and every song/Everyone/And every lover whose lover's gone..." Soon Flunk has slipped into a blurry, ethereal groove, which is grounded by the folky melodies of their wispy electronic music.

From there on, the band kicks off into a series of enchantingly sweet folktronic songs: dreamy pop melodies, electronic swirls, folksy guitar balladry, and chirrupy little dancey numbers. And Flunk explores emotions too, starting with the warm rush of early love, but slowly descending as trust is lost.

The album ends on a poignant note, with the speaker announcing, "After all I have no more to say/To you." After being lied to, she ends up wandering in the rain, dazed by the breakup and asking, "Who would dare to bring me love?"

What exactly makes Flunk such a good band? First and foremost, it's obviously the music. This quartet blends folk melodies and electronic wizardry together, producing both dreamy ambience and bouncy pop. Jo Bakke's gently folky guitar and Erik Rudd's solid drumming serve to highlight Ulf Nygaard's smooth programming.

And Anja Oyen Vister is the icing on this enchanting musical cake. Vocally, she's a dead ringer for Icelandic chanteuse Emiliana Torrini, with the same breathy fragility and sweetness. Even better, she sounds like she actually means every word of the songs she sings.

Which is the perfect voice to wisp out lines about how "you know that a love affair/is a lot like the rainbow... you should know that the beauty of life/is the beauty of falling in love..." A few songs like "Morning Star" have too-simplistic lyrics, but fortunately Vister's vocals are enough to overcome whatever boredom they might inspire.

Few bands can create such a perfect, enchantingly sweet music. But Flunk's "Morning Star" is one of those rare little collections, which is pure beauty from start to finish.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars buy em both, April 18, 2005

By 

Daniel Leithauser (Grand Junction, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Morning Star (Audio CD)

When I started searching for something to buy I was looking for that Zero 7, Lemon Jelly, or Air sound... mellow, groovy, something that you could rock or just chill out to... I spent the better part of listening to a whole bunch of groups which were recommended by others... not finding anything that struck me immediately. I knew the sound I wanted... and I was not going give up. Well, surprisingly, just as I was about to give up.. I got pointed back to the beginning of my search.

Flunk was on a list of customer recommendations from the first couple of things I took a listen to starting at Zero 7. And after many listens to both albums I am not disappointed.

Naming off the bands that I think I would place in the same general category... old Sneaker Pimps with that wonderful child like voice cooning in front of the slow subdued electronic bussle ... Mazzy Star for that smoky club atmosphere slowly revolving just out of a slow dance rythym.... Sia and Zero 7 for the beginning of my quest and the similarities of mixing smooth female vocals with acoustic guitar....and for helping me understand exactly what I was looking for.... at least this time. Flunk definitely has that Zero 7 sound I appreciate.

While after many listens I think I prefer For Sleepyheads Only, Morning Star is definitely growing on me. Buy either, I think you will find they do stay in your CD player...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More pop than their first album..., October 23, 2004

By 

Colin C. Brash (Claremont, NH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Morning Star (Audio CD)

I absolutely loved Flunk's first album, "For Sleepyheads Only," and so I preordered this album hoping it would be just as good. When the CD arrived, it had a sticker on the plastic wrap that said something to the effect of, "Featuring Anja's smooth, silky vocals on the following tracks..." I immediately got worried that the focus had turned to her voice, rather than having it just be another part of the Flunk sound like it was on the first album.

Well, I was right. Many of the songs (like "On My Balcony") are pop songs at their core, with Anja's voice the clear focus of the song. There are some songs that remind me of their first album (like "Probably" and "Morning Star"), but for the most part the group seems to have moved away from the full on dreamy soundscapes and more toward pop.

That said, I was extraordinarily happy to find that this is GOOD pop. It is pop music done in Flunk style, and they do it very, very well indeed. I am very happy I bought this CD.

If you liked the first album, realize that this is not going to be the same thing. But if you love music, this is an album you want.