...and they have escaped the weight of darkness

Ólafur Arnalds | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: April 30, 2010
• Label: Erased Tapes
• Copyright: (C) 2010 Erased Tapes 2010
• Total Length: 43:28
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
  • Pop > Adult Alternative
• ASIN: B003EU088M
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,269 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Arnalds' beautiful music w/ zest added August 15, 2010

By William Merrill TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

(4 & 1/2 stars) After greatly enjoying composer Arnalds' previous release, Found Songs, I've also found a lot to like about his new album, called "...and they have escaped the weight of darkness." As before, the center of these instrumental themes is Mr Arnalds' piano, although Weight of Darkness also highlights a chamber ensemble more, and sometimes even moves into a relatively traditional rock music area (with Tony Levin on bass!). Plus there are both subtle and more obvious electronic touches mixed in to add atmosphere. These are often deceptively simple melodies that remind me somewhat of Ryuichi Sakamoto's soundtrack work. I.e., so much is unspoken or "between the notes." However, sometimes the themes are more complex and played out on a larger stage, as on "Gleypa Okkur," which starts with just the piano and builds to a more majestic level (with rock instrumentation - an electric guitar, even?), before dropping back off to a quieter finish. Where Found Songs was consistently stark and minimal, Weight of Darkness often uses a more standard melodic structure. As beautiful as this music is, it didn't move me quite as much as Found Songs did. However, it's still an impressive collection of instrumentals.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ólafur Arnalds' best work, bar none! March 8, 2011

By Gobi Kalooki

Format:Audio CD

I believe that Iceland is a magical place unlike any other in the world. The water brings eternal life. The landscape is barren yet gorgeous in all its emptiness. You can even reach the center of the earth from Iceland. But what amazes me the most is the amazing people that Iceland has spawned. First Sigur Ros, and now this wonderful musician, Ólafur Arnalds. He has released one album and a few EPs over the past few years, but "...and They have Escaped the Weight of Darkness" is by far his most elegant, haunting work. If you are in doubt, please listen to "Hćgt, kemur ljósiđ", "Tungliđ", and, of course, the Icelandic-titled title track, "Ţau Hafa Sloppiđ Undan ţunga Myrkursins". This music may not have vocals, but it is not the "new-age dread" you might think it is. This is a highly recommended release from an extremely talented artist.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Headphone Commute Review February 8, 2011

By Headphone Commute

Format:MP3 Music

As I sit down to write these words I can't help but wonder if there was a time lapse in my memory - haven't I covered this before? I could have sworn I shared my excitement for this album in the past - after all, I hungrily consume everything by Ólafur Arnalds since his 2007 debut on Erased Tapes, Eulogy For Evolution. Well, if I haven't shared my enthusiasm for this release, I apologize... Profusely... Incredibly lovely, sad and beautiful, music from Arnalds will melt the toughest hearts. If melancholy could be wrapped in sadness drenched in longing, then Arnalds captures it all. This is precisely when words loose their meaning, and the music sings... ...and they have escaped the weight of darkness is a second full-length album from this prolific Icelandic modern classical composer. In places uplifting, and always gorgeous, the contemplative passages escaping Arnalds' fingers on the piano, and the crying stringed instruments, leave the listener reflecting on all that is present in this moment, even if its veiled by the past. You absolutely have to pick up Arnalds' masterpiece, Variations of Static, (Erased Tapes, 2008), as well as his 2009 EP on the same label, Found Songs. It is also worth mentioning that Ólafur's 2009 album, Dyad 1909 was selected in Headphone Commute's Best of 2009 : Music For The Film behind Closed Eyelids. Recommended!!!