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Frames front man Hansard has teamed up with classically trained Czech vocalist and pianist, Irglova to produce this album of affecting songs and compositions. From straight songs to piano instrumentals, "The Swell Season" affords an insight into a whole other side of Glen/The Frames, as well as offering a perfect introduction to this very talented newcomer. The record takes its name from author Josef Skvorecky's book of the same name. Set in Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia, the story centers on one man's love of music and his pursuit of unattainable women as a country comes unglued. Like the book, the record deals with the pains and hopes of those struggling to make sense of their lives.
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Reviews:
Interesting beautiful music
A+++ - loved the movie Once, so I bought this CD to get some of that music as well as some new (to me) songs. Glad I did!
CONNIE52LUVS THE SWELL SEASON
I HAPPENED TO LUCK UP ONE EVENING TO SEE THE MOVIE "ONCE'. I WAS SO TAKEN BACK BY THE MUSIC I CANNOT EXPLAIN IT. I BOUGHT THE CD IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE ALSO GOTTEN THE MUSIC FROM THE SWELL SEASON ALBUM. BY THE TIME I HAD DISCOVERED THIS GREAT BAND THEY HAD COME AND GONE FROM THE U.S. I WAS SO SADDENED BY THIS FACT BUT I'VE NOT GIVEN UP HOPE OF SEEING THIS BAND. THEY ARE COMING BACK TO THE U.S. IN THE FALL OF 2009 AND I WILL BE THERE TO SEE MY FAVORITE GROUP. TO SAY I DO NOT BUY ALOT OF MUSIC IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT BUT I AM ON PINS AND NEEDLES WAITNG FOR "STRICT JOY" TO COME OUT IN OCT.,2009. I'M SURE THERE ARE SO MANY OF US WHO CAN SAY THIS IS THEIR FAVORITE BAND BUT FOR ME IT IS THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH!!! I SIMPLY ADORE THE MUSIC, THE BAND,AND EVERYONE CONNECTED WITH THIS GROUP!!
THANKS A MILLION FOR COMING BACK TO THE STATES AND PLEASE KEEP COMING! WE LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!
You don't have to be in any particular mood to hear this album
I only just recently heard of The Frames, but I had seen "Once" some time ago and fell in love with their combined voices. I bought this and the soundtrack and two of Hansard's band's other albums, too.
This album, though with out many numbers, blew me away. I wish The Swell Season, which the album is named after, was the first track to start off with. But, as it is, I anxiously anticipate it's arrival. It is the perfect anthem, if you will, for this album. There are no words in it, just feeling and music and the imaginings of a violin player and guitarist playing the sun down in a field, maybe in Ireland, somewhere.
The rest of the album is beautiful. I haven't exactly heard the other 2 albums of Hansard's in full yet, but I'm too enthralled with this one to bring myself to do so right this moment.
Hansard and Irglova's voices are fantastic compliments to one another. I especially love thier slow, thoughtful songs such as "This Low" and "Drown Out". "The Moon" is wonderful, too.
If you were a fan of "Once", you'll be a fan of this, and probably any other of Hansard's albums for that matter.
Great
The title says it all. This is a refreshing change from the hyped-junk that is currently being shoved out in front of the public by the music companies. Escape the junk, and enjoy this great music. Also check out the movie called "Once", for which this music is the soundtrack, and these musicians are the actors.
IMO, not as good as Once
Well, I absolutely love the Once soundtrack. It's passionate, well-balanced and fun. The Swell Season album misses on all of these marks.
They actually re-worked a few tracks from Once, and unfortunately, didn't improve them at all. I'd rather listen to the originals.
And the new songs are almost all Glen singing, and just aren't very interesting.
I bought this, listened to it twice, then simply gave it to my friend, who actually felt the same way about it.
Stick to Once.
