Customer Reviews

A Quick Fix of Melancholy

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If this doesn't get a person drooling for the next full-length Ulver release, nothing will. Even at just around 20-minutes, this little disc has given me more enjoyment this year than most full-length releases. The music of the first three tracks have an electronic-orchestral sound to them, formulated by the pulsing beats and shards of static, along with synthesized strings and the godly (literally), operatic voice of Garm. As much as I think synthed strings have a tendency to suck and sound awful, Ulver makes them work. "Blue Bird" applies layers and layers of strings, further textured by ghostly voices, electronic squealing, and what might be faint, processed acoustic guitar chords. Garm's voice enters -- processed heavily, echoing, multitracked, and out of sync, gradually growing more desperate and uninhibited -- and it is one of his spookiest performances yet recorded. On "Doom Sticks", a repetitive melody is set as the foil between colliding cross-rhythms of synthed strings, then the heavy electronic beats come in but since the arrangement emulates orchestral percussion is works wonderfully. "Vowels" adopts an Eastern motif for its main chord progression on synthed chimes, with jagged orchestral strikes illuminating Garm's indecipherable chanting. "Eitttlane" is a remix of "Nattleite" from _Kveldssanger_, and it is beautifully done. They way Ulver applies the electronics gives the song added urgency and tension. If they remixed that whole album I'd buy it in a heartbeat. So, in conclusion to this quick little review, go buy _A Quick Fix of Melancholy_.

Ulver's CD's are all so diverse and always go in such unpredictable directions, that it is now predictable that their next achievement will be unpredictable. This CD mostly contains synthesized (I think) and non-synthesized violins and string instruments, and some opera vocals in addition to their main electronic sound.

"Little Blue Bird" starts off with a double string melody, one that continues throughout the whole song to paint the main atmosphere. There are some strange opera vocals that you thought you'd never find in an Ulver song in the background, until Garm starts singing his haunting and soothing vocal melodies. After he is finished, the beat picks up but the tempo stays the same, and strange electronic noises are added to the mix, until the song fades out into the main theme from which it started.

"Doom Sticks" starts with a sound I can only describe as an electronic melody, although not a monotonous beeping sound or anything - and then adds what I can only think of as distant synthesized bells, or just a general cool sounding sound that isn't supposed to sound like anything. Then there are some more synthesized trumpets, I guess, then violins... This song is entirely instrumental.

"Vowels" is my favorite on the CD, which starts off with violin or some string instrument plucking, a magical distant bell melody, and strong, male "opera" vocals - It might be Garm but I can't tell. It sounds like he is just singing random words that seem to be printed on the CD itself. This song only has vocals at the beginning and then goes into incredible layered instrumentals with all the elements I've already described. At the end, the more upbeat and layered violin playing section might as well be the local symphony orchestra playing.

The Last song, "Eitttlane" is "Nattleite" remixed, and let me tell you, it was the perfect song from "Kveldssanger" to remix. The name is literally remixed also, as you can tell. It repeats sections of this song in interesting patterns and adds a lot more percussion, melodies, instruments, and electronic sounds.

These songs keep exploring uncharted territories and moving throughout different ideas and experiments. You must not be human if they do not pull your interest in and never let go. This particular release is awfully hard to describe sound and instrument-wise, but the songs are as always, extremely interesting and unique. Ulver sure doesn't disappoint, and never gets boring. I'm so pleased with this CD, that if the next full-length is this good, (which I'm sure it will be) they will probably become my favorite band of all, which is now Opeth.

Nominated for a Spellemannspris (Norwegian grammy) in 2002 for their soundtrack to the Swedish short film "Lyckantropen," Ulver continue their ongoing electronica experiment with this brilliant ep from 2003. Composed of only four tracks, this little gem is a "quick fix" indeed. Short descriptions follow:

1. "Little Blue Bird" features a lush string arrangement and ghostly, operatic vocals from Garm (now known as Trickster G). What sounds like samples of an answering machine intermittently weave in and out before the track ends with a burst of electronic static, and then a sense of calm.
2. "Doom Sticks" has an almost somber, war-like aesthetic and might not seem out of place on a Der Blutharsch album. The use of distorted synthetic strings and dull, plodding brass interludes are nearly epic in their scope, while the track is pushed along by an infectiously programmed militaristic jungle beat.
3. "Vowels" begans quite simply, allowing Garm to showcase his considerable vocal skills over a minimalist arrangement. The latter half of the track becomes increasingly complex, with many different musical ideas, all meticulously programmed, vying for attention.
4. "Eittlane" is a remix of sorts of the track "Nattleite" from the 1995 acoustic album Kveldssanger. This track is the least engaging of the bunch, but serves a nice come-down from an exhausting musical journey.

With A Quick Fix of Melancholy, Ulver have created a mini-masterpiece, the type of release you don't want to ever leave your player. Combining the suffocating darkness of Coil with the humanism of Radiohead, Ulver transcends genre description and begs to be heard, and not written about.

Ulver never ceases to amaze me, this EP takes the band in yet another direction (an Ulver trademark). I think this album displays a minimalistic approach, using sparse electronics and beats the band manages to attain an atmosphere from the get-go of each song and maintain it throughout. The songs start off with a simple melody or sound and then get bigger and more atmospheric as they progress. If I had to compare it to any previous Ulver release it would be the "Svidd Neger" soundtrack, which is also an incredible release in itself and uses the "build-up" method that I mentioned earlier. This is a perfect album to zone out to or drive to late at night on the freeway. Yet another amazing effort by Ulver.

If you look up "change" in the dictionary, it should mention something about Ulver in it. Ulver is constantly changing and it's always for the better. The last two albums, or soundtracks I should say, have been ambient/soundscape type of albums. Whereas "A Quick Fix of Melancholy" is a return to "structure". Garm also returns with his amazing vocal range which is always nice.
1. Little Blue Bird kicks the album off. It is repetitive, but it holds your interest. Garm's vocals are at times operatic on this song which demonstrates his amazing range.
2. Doom Sticks- this is my favorite song off the album. They bring in a trumpet and drums on this song which kind of reminds me of Perdition City and all the various instruments used on that one. The orchestration is amazing on this song
3. Vowels- the lyrics are written by Canadian author, Christian Bok, and it's truly an interesting song. Garm's vocals are almost like a baritone chant er something. Very eerie.

4. Eittlane- This is the "bonus" song. it's a remake of Nattelite off Kveldssanger. very cool song. This song even has some distorted guitars.

If this is any indication as to what the future holds for Ulver, I cannot wait. Put this on and space out. It truly is music for the f**ked and locked up.

This little 2003 EP was a lovely understated reminder that Ulver were still making interesting, original and ultimately infectious music. There is only four tracks here, all encapsulating the trademark electronic styling, Garm's powerful and atmospheric vocals and a refined ear for melody.

My favourite track here is "Eittlane" which is a re-working of "Nattleite" from their acoustic folk album "Kveldssanger". The song starts decently with a nice laid-back and moody feel, and slowly builds to the final beat drop over the washing tones, and Garm's vocals can be heard just adding to the already rich textures. "Little Blue Bird" is a demonstration of Garm's outstanding and diverse vocals. He can effortlessly switch from quiet and eerie to loud and operatic. He is a truly underrated singer, which unfortunately reflects the band's somewhat cult status. "Vowels" is another excellent song, combining some big and loud vocals with tasteful strings that never become overblown. "Doom Sticks" is my least favourite song here, not that its bad, it just doesn't live up to the other three as it becomes rather repetitive.

Overall this is a very enjoyable four track EP. Fans of Ulver should always expect the unexpected - such is the nature of this diverse band - but you would be wrong to expect a dip in quality.