Customer Reviews

Tourniquet

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tourniquet: It's a device, typically a tightly encircling bandage, used to check bleeding by temporarily stopping the flow of blood through a large artery in a limb.

Just moments ago, I picked my jaw up off the floor, from my first listen of the Tourniquet album. It was sweet wonderland of sound! This album definitely has it all, and Torniquet is absolutely nothing short of a musical masterpiece. Here's what you need to know. The Tourniquet album covers many musical styles. Including, a mix of...Jazzy Dreamy Pop Rock, Indie Folk, and sometimes contains a backdrop of Electronica. Plus it contains experimental sounds which are Johansen's original concepts, and it's all melds quite well into a cerebral euphoria. Often times a song will mix all these genres in a single song, and he does this astonishingly well. This album is an envelope, and Johansen is pushing further here, creating new musical boundaries. That's not an easy accomplishment. However, this album makes that feat seem effortless. Evan Johansen's voice is fresh. He is graced with a rare exceptional vocal talent. Not to mention thought provoking lyrics. There's more to it than that though. His language takes you on a journey. He portrays his brokenhearted emotions, containing his hurts, his hopes, loves, angers, and his longings...while his voice engulfs you and then you feel like you share a place by his side through his experiences. It's rare when music captures and infects you like this album does. I assure you, even if you had placed your guard up, you would be dragged against your will with desire to hear the next note, the next turn of infectious sound. Not since maybe my first listen to Radiohead has this happened to me. It feels great to hear this type of music again, and I wanted to pass it on. Get this album!!! Get this album!!! Get this album!!! Get this album!!!

Magnet (Even Johansen) is one incredibly talented guy. This is clearly evident in his new CD - "Tourniquet." Every song is extremely well written and catchy. You can hear the creativity and hard work put into each track. There are layers upon layers of effects, loops, various percussion and other instruments - most of which are played by Even himself.

Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing Magnet live in concert. His performance is one that I will not forget. Even played his guitar as a one man band, looping bass notes, percussion, and effects all from one instrument and then proceeded to play and sing the rest of the song. His talent, not only as a musician, but as a writer and creator surpasses many popular indie artists today. I foresee him rising to huge popularity within a couple of years.

"Tourniquet," however, falls short of the amazing-ness that "On Your Side" possesses. For long time Magnet fans, this new CD is a must. But for those who are not quite yet familiar with Magnet, "On Your Side" is the CD that I would recommend first.

"On Your Side" has such a strong passion that you often feel happily lost in his songs. The CD takes you on a journey changing emotions with musical style throughout its entirety.

"Tourniquet," on the other hand, falls short with somewhat predictable song lyrics and a similar sound approach through the whole disc.

This, by no means, makes "Tourniquet" a bad album. It just falls slightly short of the genius heard within "On Your Side." Both CD's are fun, beautiful and creative. If you are a fan of folk and indie, both of Magnet's CD's (and also his "Even Johansen" CD) are for you.

I am again amazed by Magnet's talents to write such beautiful songs, lyrically and the way he puts them to music. It wasn't as long of a wait this time to get this album in America as it was the first album, but it was worth the wait. "Believe", "Fall At Your Feet" and "Miss Her So" are my favorite songs on the album.

Both On Your Side and Tourniquet are fantastic CDs. Of the two, On Your Side is my favorite, though Tourniquet grows on you with every listen. Even Johansen is a talented songwriter who weaves beautiful melodies with good lyrics and interesting sounds to create truly unique music. At times his songs sound like country, at other times like ambient electronica. It's an interesting range. If you like mellow, pretty, interesting music, then this CD (as well as his first) are for you. Stand-out tracks include Hold On, Duracellia, and Fall at Your Feet.

If you loved Magnet album "On your side" you'll initially be slightly disappointed and say "well the sequel can't be as good". BUT after a few listenings you'll start to love this album more and more, and more and more. And soon you'll love it more than "on your side". It came out last fall in Norway, and it still is one of the albums I listen to the most. It definatively grows on you. I'm so looking forward to his next album. I spoke to him at a concert last fall in Norway, and he announced that an album will be released this year!

"Don't matter if you leave or if you stay
I'm gonna love you either way"

Magnet's boyish charm comes through with a new strength as many of the songs, although still questioning life; start to find a new direction and purpose within the stage of intimacy and comfort.

I listen to Magnet because I like being able to listen to dreamy romantic contemplations savoring each inflection of his voice in his magical electronic landscape. Comforting, relaxing, and definitely for those who enjoy each moment in music and the weaving of a delicate intimacy between souls.

"You'll get through this if you hang on
Cause the truth is you're not alone
You'll get through this if you hang on
The truth is you're not alone
You're not on your own"

~The Rebecca Review

If the name Magnet doesn't just draw you to him, then hearing the first ten seconds of any of his songs will!

With more layers than a wedding cake, Even's new album takes you into another world where there's no such thing as music--b/c the music is life! That's how amazing this stuff sounds! If you don't buy this, you will be an outcast for eternity. Here's to more Magnet!

11/10 - Bring on the next album!