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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Modern pop for the soul, March 27, 2007
From the snow capped vistas of Norway comes Kate Havnevik, a modern day Nordic siren ready to enchant us with her imaginative debut and to make her mark in modern pop music.
Melankton, the album's title, comes from a book Kate read and it means dark rose -quite fitting for a darkly poetic piece of music that is often dramatic, very alluring and should appeal to a broad range of music listeners. As much as I hate comparisons I think if you are fans already of Bjork, Dido, Royksopp, Hooverphonic or Imogen Heap, I am pretty sure you will find lots of things to enjoy on Melankton.
Some listeners might be familiar with her background vocals. Kate sang on Royksopp's techno hits "Only This Moment" and "Circuit Breaker" from their last album The Understanding, she also worked on a couple of songs on Carmen Rizzo's electronic record called Lost Art Of The Idle Moment, one of them makes it here on the US version of the CD called "Travel in time" which was one of my favorite from Carmen's album. But fans might have even heard of her on television.
Beautifully mirroring life's tender and powerful moments some of the album tracks were featured on the hit TV drama Grey's Anatomy, generating a buzz & prompting lots of viewers to seek her out.
Creating the album Kate recorded the core string arrangements first. The vocals were recorded in her bedroom studio where she could capture the right feel and sound for each song. Voice (often supple and hushed), lyrics (intimate and warm) and melodies (leisurely drawn out) are the main elements with no strict formula writing for the album and no focus on having one or two big singles. Kate's goal was to have the album be a piece of music as a whole and it's evident when one listens how nicely bound the tracks are for the entirety of the record.
Several very talented collaborators from quite different backgrounds were enlisted to make Melankton. Guy Sigsworth (of Frou Frou fame) co-wrote 4 tracks in the album and helped Kate with his masterful electronic beats, Carmen Rizzo did some additional programming, Maria Huld Markan provided string arrangements (she has worked with Sigur Ros and Amina), Froydis Re Werke, an exceptional horn player lended her talents (she is the main teacher in horn at the Royal College of Music in Oslo), the talented contemporary jazz player Arve Henriksen provided some dazzling and very emotional trumpet sounds for a couple of the albums highlights and lastly there is the magnificent 16 piece string orchestra from Bratislava Slovakia adorning the dramatic background of most of these tracks. With all this marriage of lush sounds mixed together, one would think this is a schizophrenic piece of work, but the neat techno arrangements blend effortlessly with the organic orchestral sounds.
Kate's songs have various themes. Enjoying life's precious moments I think is the most resounding one. On "I don't know you" she knows the stars, the wind the sky and waves yet she would like to know her partner better so she pleads for him to show who he is to her. Isn't that always such a vulnerable state? To really get to know someone and to really show ourselves as we are to someone we love with all our little flaws? Equally emotional and romantic is "Kaleidoscope", where she abandons her worries and sees the world through a kaleidoscope of colors mesmerized by sincere love that is by far my favorite song on this album (my other favorite was found in the Norwegian import of this CD and it was a magnificent song called "Se Meg" which didn't make it on the US version but i highly recommend seeking it out since it had made me cry). On "Unlike Me" she sings about time not existing, living in the moment, with no guarantees in life we should live our lives intensely and love every minute of it, "every minute alive" as she insists. On "New Day" she is admiring a beautiful day starting up with her lover awaking with "morning stars" in his eyes, ready for what this new day will have to bring, it is one of the more upbeat tracks in the album, due to the energized electronic beats kicking in mid way through, the other songs are more moody, romantic, serene. Overall i think it's a solid effort and a great debut album by someone who is very talented and creative and someone who evokes so many beautiful images by her songs and music. She's also excellent Live, so if she tours around your town promoting this album do not miss her performance. You'll be enchanted.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mysterious and Exquisite, September 26, 2007
"There are no guarantees in life
Not for the present,
Nor for the future.
All I know is
That I'm here"
~Unlike Me
Norwegian singer and songwriter Kate Havnevik creates euphoric melodies within an exquisite world of electronica with classical appeal. "Not Fair" has darkly poetic lyrics where she shows the full range of her vocal expression. "Travel in Time" contains magical whispery sweet lyrics with hints of longing and ecstasy.
"Serpentine" has a classictronica appeal but what makes Kate Havnevik's songs ornate is the way she uses her voice. She makes the world seem more sensuous and like Björk, her voice becomes part of the musical landscape in a unique creative soul expression. Within the lyrics there seems to be a death and a rebirth, as if the petals of a black rose have been tossed across a sea of change.
"I go nowhere high
Go nowhere warm
Until you're by my side
Your hand in mine
And I've always known
You're like a feather
You go where wind and fire melt together"
~Nowhere Warm
"Kaleidoscope" has a similar appeal, but dives even deeper into delicate melancholy that suddenly awakens into more vivid revelation. From here, the album mellows sweetly into a deep relaxing contemplation. "New Day" is an awakening from the sleepy classical mood as electronica again takes the stage. Since Kate Havnevik is working on two more albums I can only imagine the directions she will take within possibility.
If you enjoy Zero 7, Balligomingo, Hooverphonic, Magnet and Imogen Heap, you will want this for your collection.
~The Rebecca Review
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfection : Beautiful, May 14, 2007
Through a series of intensely rich and innovative musical compositions, Kate Havnevik's lush vocals flow seamlessly. This fresh genre, best described as `classica', combines the best elements of electronica and classical music. The live orchestra and subtle synthetic pulses are a sugary treat for the ears and the soul. As warm and laid back as this album is, it's extremely uplifting. In fact, Kate herself describes it as `euphoric'. During production of "Melankton", Kate simultaneously worked on two other albums. She felt that "Melankton" would best introduce her style to the musical world, and so it was released first. "Melankton" translates into `black rose'.
Kate initially trained as a classical musician. She joined a punk rock group as a young woman and quickly lost herself in the electronic sounds, and began experimenting with her own contemporary pieces. Before the release of "Melankton", she previously collaborated with other artists and musicians, providing backup vocals for various singers and assisting in the production of dance tracks.
The vibes of "Melankton" are slow and melodic, but intriguing and extraordinarily beautiful. Every song includes a lovely assortment of brass, strings, rich electronic chords and subtle beats. This album could easily be compared to Bjork's lullaby masterpiece album, "Vespertine", but contains less angst and growls, and includes more smoothness and sensitivity.
"Unlike Me":
As it opens with Kate's wispy vocals and sweet conviction, "Unlike Me" quickly draws the listener in. This song sets the album tone beautifully. Strolling lower string arrangements and subtle vocal edits swell and shrink in the ears. The song is very much like the ocean, rising and falling musically. Kate's love of glissandos (the slow pitch slide of a continuously played note) is extremely obvious in this tune, especially toward the end. In general, the tone of "Unlike Me" is rather dark and mysterious, rich and warm. The harp arrangement is particularly beautiful. With no percussion, Kate's vocals take center stage. (5/5)
"Travel In Time":
Plucking strings remind the listener of a lazy rainy morning. This track is a bit more contemporary, with modern beats. The intense sweeping melodies are still present, as Kate's voice flows effortlessly. The intricate musical arrangements are a treat for the ears. Simple but gorgeous, this track is a wonderful mix of choral sounds and sparkling arpeggios. (5/5)
"I Don't Know You":
The second track is sweeter and less aggressive than the first. "I Don't Know You" opens with a delicate piano, airy synthetic chords and slowly layering strings. Kate's vocals are a bit more reserved, almost childlike. As the song progresses, soft clicks begin to build and create a light percussion sound. The track concludes with harmonious horns. The emotion represented in this tune is struggle and intense wanting. Far less dark, but just as powerful as the opening number. (5/5)
"You Again":
Kate delves into unfamiliar musical territory here, using more brass and more experimentation. The structure of this song is less grand and more focused on individual sounds, such as the gentle hopping of the horns, exotic drumbeats and twinkling keyboards. "You Again" adopts a jazzier groove, and a more intimate setting. This song would sound beautiful performed in a small club. (5/5)
"Not Fair":
Initially, this was one of my personal favorites. It's the first tune that includes a typical drum arrangement, and though it feels a bit more modern and less eccentric than the previous tracks, it makes a huge impression. The strings fly quickly up a musical scale and reel the listener in within the first few seconds. Kate sings with anger and passion, longing for justice. The bridge is particularly intense, with her vocals reaching into a high falsetto. There are also some incredibly beautiful string arrangements throughout the entire song. This is a fantastic song to belt out during those moments of extreme frustration. (5/5)
"Nowhere Warm":
Starting off similar to "I Don't Know You", this song has a similar disposition, but reaches a higher climax toward the end. The string arrangement has a bit more movement and expression. It's difficult to single out the best portions of this song, as it all flows so wonderfully together (most of Kate's pieces are like that). Lyrically, it ends on the lovely conclusion that, after Kate has so emotionally proclaimed her thoughts and feelings, there is `nothing more to say.' (5/5)
"Serpentine":
Much slower and more subdued, "Serpentine" is a fantastic musical soundscape with full string chords, brass, and plucking strings. The crescendo of this track is fantastic: it begins softly, as a mist through dark trees. Once the song matures, it sounds like a full wind on the coast, only to die down to a light breeze once again. Kate's vocals are, as always, warm and inviting. Her higher range sounds lovely here, especially toward the end of the tune. (5/5)
"Kaleidoscope":
Twinkles and lazy strings carry this tune. The vocal arrangement is stunning: Kate's lyrics are absolutely breathtaking. This song seems to be a perennial favorite. It's less aggressive and a bit more vulnerable. The strings swell gently, opening the song with expressive emotion and intensity. The electronic pulses add dimension as the first verse closes. With all the harps, glockenspiels and sparkly arpeggios, one can't help but think of music boxes and Christmastime. There are some beautiful reverb effects included here. (5/5)
"Sleepless":
Slow and subdued, this song reflects the emotions one might feel while crawling endlessly in place. The music perfectly compliments the lyrics, slowly growing into a serious proclamation of hopelessness and sadness. Insomnia was never presented more beautiful than it is here. The bridge features falling and rising arpeggios, and closes with a gentle digital manipulation, blending into the arriving choral strings. As always, Kate closes the track with grace, slowly fading to nothing. (5/5)
"Suckerlove":
The angriest song of the album, Kate's conviction is effortless. The song opens with an exotic dulcimer, rich horns and audio samples sounding like gentle crashes and booms. As always, Kate weaves many strings into the mix, perfectly combining sensitivity with angst. Kate sounds strong and confident here, a switch from most other tunes. In short, she's telling a recent lover how horribly wrong the relationship has gone, and there is no saving it now. A bit brutal, this is a wonderful breakup song for strong and independent women. (5/5)
"Timeless":
After the high of the previous track, it's nice to come down to this lullaby. The same four chords are featured throughout the song, but it's the arrangement and sudden genre switches that make this a fantastic tune. The majority of the song sounds soothing and gentle; perfect for romantic nights and adoring a gorgeous sunset. As the second verse closes, light timpani and electronic beats begin to take over, and it's then that you'll find yourself wanting to hear more. Arpeggios are featured throughout the last portion of the track, with Kate's gentle improvisations adding intensity. Suddenly, the beats drop out and the only sound left is the simple melody line. This is a fabulous track. (5/5)
*"Someday":
This song sounds a bit like something you might hear in a period film, with dramatic horns and classical string arrangements. The lyrics are sensitive and sweet, and Kate sounds wonderful next to the rich chords. While it's a gorgeous song, it sounds a bit out of place on the album. (4/5)
"New Day":
Kate's glissandos are featured here more than any other track on the album. She somehow makes them likable and intriguing, rather than bizarre. The most upbeat track on the album, this is one of the most recognizable songs, thanks to "Grey's Anatomy". Echoing beats and a fuzzy bass are prominent and there are more digital effects to be heard throughout the song. In particular, Kate's pieced-and-placed vocals toward the end make for an interesting and beautiful listen. There are no drastic changes in the song, but every little blip and beep make this the best on the album. The ending is simply gorgeous, with a soft arpeggio popping in one more time for a final moment of reverb bliss. (6/5)
Bonus Track "So:Lo":
The most commercial track, an acoustic guitar begins the song happily, only to be joined by Kate's melancholy lyrics. Despite the title and the general disposition, this comes off as a happy song simply because of the musical arrangement and the fact that Kate is confessing her deep love for another. This is another tune which was featured on "Grey's Anatomy". Kate was wise to include this as a bonus track, as it gives the listener the impression that the album actually ends with "New Day": it ends the album on a much more cohesive note. (5/5)
Finally, a true artist who is more than just another pretty pop face is getting some attention. Thanks to "Grey's Anatomy", Kate is getting the attention she truly deserves. Her innovative songwriting techniques and intricate compositions are both beautiful and likable, without being too far from the norm. You should snag a copy of this album, especially if you enjoy Bjork, Dido, and Enigma.
*Please note: this track is included on the initial `old' version of "Melankton", released in Norway
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