Under the Surface [Import]

Marit Larsen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 27, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Import
• ASIN: B000HEWFQQ
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,340 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #19 in Music > World Music > Europe > Scandinavia > Norway

Track Listings

1. In Came the Light

2. Under the Surface

3. Don't Save Me

4. Only a Fool

5. Solid Ground

6. This Time Tomorrow

7. Recent Illusion

8. The Sinking Game

9. To an End

10. Come Closer

11. Poison Passion

Editorial Reviews

Debut solo album from the former member of M2M.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Emotionally powerful acoustic pop, September 26, 2006

By 

M. Thomas (Mountain View, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Surface (Audio CD)

Marit Larsen proves with this album that she is possibly the most skilled lyricist to emerge from the turn-of-the-century pop craze. Her songs resonate perfectly with a wide range of emotion, yet have a depth and complexity that makes them grow even more beautiful with more listens.

"Solid Ground" is a delicate ballad that speaks, first between the lines and then directly, the pain of the struggle to keep yourself... if you're familiar with the history of Marit's career in M2M (or even if you're not), you will be touched. "Under the Surface" is a tour of a jealous love, backed up with a beautiful melody that brings out the song's pleasure and pain. "Don't Save Me" and "Only A Fool" are lighthearted tunes that celebrate the freedom to leave a broken relationship. All in all, the album speaks of living as yourself and loving that life, even in painful situations. It's a short album, but it says a lot in its subtleties, and it is ultimately very uplifting.

Musically, the album lacks the synthetic sugariness of Marit's early hits with M2M, but replaces it with a more mature and organic style of acoustic pop, allowing Marit to show a wider range of vocal talent than on either of the M2M albums. She also takes on several new instruments beyond her usual acoustic guitar (the album includes two very effective piano ballads). Some of the songs (particularly "Only A Fool" and "Come Closer") are more folksy than Marit's pop background would suggest; as someone who isn't generally a big fan of folk music, I can say that on this album, the presence of banjo and harmonica on some tracks only serves to bring out the soul of the music even more.

I'd recommend Under the Surface both to fans of the old style of teen pop (like myself) and those who preferred music that was more "real". Marit continues to write virtually all of her own material, and it shows in her subtle but sometimes haunting vocal delivery.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a hidden masterpiece, January 5, 2007

By 

Patrick Vincent Lau (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Surface (Audio CD)

If you're tired of the droning and bland sounds from the radio, then you've probably come to the right place.

The former blonde half of the Norweigen pop sensation M2M, Marit larsen has come a long way to produce a work that's nothing short of a masterpiece in the folk-pop genre (although that can barely describe the diversity and originality of the album).

Although revolving around the usual themes of relationships, romance, love, and love lost, she approaches it with honest lyrics and with the band, quirky and melodic instrumentals, making the common sound so refreshingly new.

As some have mentioned, I rarely find myself skipping through songs as the album works so well in its entirety, with each track naturally progressing to the next.

However, I can say that this album is not for everyone. It has a very predominant folk direction, with the pop elements playing a supporting role. This can probably explain why 'Don't Save Me' and 'Under The Surface' are the radio hits in Norway, them being the more conventional pop-rock/ballad arrangements in the album (the other in my opinion being 'Solid Ground').

Marit's sound is very organic, having very little synthesized sounds or use of anything electronic (other than a little use of vocal effects for some of the tracks, notably 'Poison Passion'). But what really gives the album such a different dimension is the liberal use of various bluegrass instruments such as the; banjo, mandolin, harmonica and many other acoustic-based instruments.

So if you're one who finds it hard to appreciate the not so conventional, I would give the album a skip, although you may still enjoy 'Under The Surface', 'Solid Ground' and 'Don't Save Me'. But for those wanting to try something new and refershing, and missed hearing music that is simple and honest, you won't go wrong with Under The Surface.

Favourite Tracks:

'This Time Tomorrow' (Really love the instrumentals in this track, fun and edgy, although the lyrics are about a girl and her rather paranoid behavoiur towards her boyfriend. Somehow the contrast works really well.)

'The Sinking Game' (Second best example next to 'Only a Fool' that exemplifies the unique folk aspect of the album. Great instrumentals on this one too, a nice fusion of jazz, folk and pop.)

'Come Closer' (With that distinctive Banjo riff in the beginning to the wonderfully arranged chorus, this track brings you along a rollercoaster ride of emotions through the arrangment. Also one of Marit's stronger vocal performances in the album. A great union of folk and pop-rock elements.)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better as a solo artist., November 23, 2006

By 

A. Long (Maryville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Surface (Audio CD)

For those who were fans of the late band M2M, you may remember this beautiful young lady as the tender voiced blonde. Her look isn't the only thing that has changed of this 23 year old Norwegian singer/songwriter/musician. Her vocals have improved, and as a solo artist, is no longer pushed into the background as the guitar playing blonde.
The first song on her album is entitled "In Came The Light" and is just over one minute long. It is a simple, yet lovely opening song that describes (or can be interpreted as) how she is stepping into the light and changing for the better. The song is solely written by Marit Larsen, and the music is almost mystical sounding. The short yet sweet song receives an 8/10.
The second song on the album is named "Under The Surface" and would become the second single for her to release with a video. It is a song about loving a man but wondering if he can be true with concerns of his ex-lover. The music at opportune times comes off as sad, but the lyrics are fairly positive for being in the said position. Personally, I would say she displays her voice the best in this song, and the lyrics are masterfully written (by Marit alone). This song receives a 9/10.
The third song on the album is called "Don't Save Me" and was the first single she released before the album itself was placed on the shelves. The music is fun and somewhat bouncy in this song, but the lyrics are almost spiteful toward an unknown person who can be seen as patronizing. Marit again displays the levels she can reach with her vocal talent in this song, but the lyrics seem a bit lacking in parts of this song (co-written with Peter Zizzo). The song receives an 8/10.
The fourth song on Marit's debut album is entitled "Only A Fool". This song was the third single released off this album, but was released only as an internet single. The song is about a cheating ex-lover who (it seems) wants a seemingly impossible second chance. The music in this song is also fun, but in a folk like manner (written by Marit alone). The lyrics are very catchy with the tune, forcing you to sing along. This song receives a 9/10.
The fifth song on the album is named "Solid Ground" and happens to be my personal favorite (so I will try not to be biased). The music is very deep, compared to other songs on her album, and the lyrics seem very personal to Marit, the sole writer. The beginning of the song starts off slow and deep but picks up by the chorus. The lyrics speak of someone (or thing) holding you back, but the song leaves you with a powerful message that leaves this listener with chills every time. The song receives a 10/10.
The sixth song on her album is "This Time Tomorrow". Another song written by Marit alone, it is very sad. Well, it is a good song, but the lyrics are of a girl with low self-esteem and questions if her lover is true to her. The music almost does not seem to fit the lyrics at times because of the content of the lyrics. The instrumental part of the song is amazing. The song receives a 9/10.
The seventh song on this album is entitled "Recent Illusion". Again, this song is written by Marit, but the lyrics in this song fall short of her obvious talent in songwriting. It seems like a poem one would write about a high school crush. The music makes up for where it fails in lyrics, and Marit's voice is as amazing as ever. This song receives a 7/10.
The eighth song on Marit's album is called "The Sinking Game". This song was co-written with Kåre Vestrheim and seems to be the most carefree song on the album. There are fun sound effects in-between lines, and the music makes you want to get up and create your own dance. The lyrics are hard to interpret but are cleverly put together. Marit displays a little of all her talents in this song. It receives a 9/10.
The ninth song on this album is named "To An End". This song is Marit's first collaboration and with another Norwegian singer no less (Thom Hell). The two harmonize very well and make you think back to the days of M2M. The lyrics, co-written with Egil Clausen, are marvelous, but the music at times may remind the listener of Christmas. Overall though, the music is very calming and soothes you into living the lyrics while listening to them. The song receives a 9/10.
The second to last song on this album is entitled "Come Closer". This song is written by Marit, and greatly displays the levels (again) at which Marit can reach with her voice. At times, she sings low and very sweet. The next second, she belts out with long vowels and high pitches. This display, I feel, makes up for the (very few) parts where the song lacks lyrically. The song itself is very sweet. It is about loving a guy but not knowing how to please him to keep him around. The song receives a 8/10.
The last song on Marit's debut album is named "Poison Passion". A very dramatic song, the music is deep and almost creepy. Marit displays her darker side in this song that she solely wrote with a more vengeful spite than in "Don't Save Me". The lyrics are amazing and feel, in this song more than any other, that they must be truly experienced to be written in this fashion. This song receives a 9/10.

Marit has truly made a name for herself in the music business. It may not be a true average judging by the grades above, but when I listen to the album as a whole, I would give it a firm 8.5-9/10. I suppose it depends to your mood when you listen to it.
She has come a long way in these 4 years, and I look forward to her music in the future.