This is Ulver's second release, released in 1995 on Head not Found records. 'Kveldssanger' is an all acoustic folk album, combining tranquil, relaxing guitar melodies with some more harsh acoustics make for epic and beautiful album with vocals that sing like an angel would.
Lineup...
Garm - Vocals
Aismal : Guitars
Grellmund : Rhythm guitars
*This is the album lineup that i am assuming, the booklet lists AiwarikiaR in the album, but he plays drums and the only drumming is in the last track and it's about 3 snare drum hits. Garm is definitely the vocalist.
The opener Østenfor Sol Og Vestenfor Maane starts the album with some nice atmospheric guitar work, some cello work and amazing vocal harmonies from Garm. Garm's vocals really shine on this track, an awesome opener.
Ord is just 17 seconds of Garm singing wonderfully, this leads right into Høyfjeldsbilde which is another wonderfully written song, beautiful guitar work here and some nice acoustic solos. Awesome track.
Nattleite really displays Garms vocal talents, this song is basically a cello with just some acoustics in the background with Garm oohing and aahing over it. I dig this song. This song's mood leads well into the next track Kveldssang, it takes awhile for this song to develop and when it finally does the song comes to an abrupt halt. This song angers me, i always think there is more.
Naturmystikk has a somewhat of a depressing feel to it, dual guitars going here, some nice leads also. About halfway through, there is a flute solo that fits wonderfully with the acoustic rhythms behind it, after the flute solo you are hit with a nice guitar lead/solo. Awesome song. Following this track, A Cappella (Sielens Sang) is just Garm singing, it's absolutely beautiful. It's full of vocal harmonies and wonderfully sung melodies. Garm plays a whole song here just with his voice. It's absolutely beautiful. Following this beauty is Hiertets Vee which is the usuall folk stuff on this album, nice rythm and melodies and some enticing leads. About halfway through the music stops and all you hear is the sound of the wind, and what seems to be a flute being played out in the distance. I absolutely love how they did this, the wind whistling and flute harmonies sound awesome when put together. Absolutely awesome.
Kledt I Nattens Farger begins with the wind still blowing a bit from the last song and comes in with some depressing acoustic guitarwork in some nice harmonic minor scales along with good cello work and perfect leads. The leads stop and Garm begins to sing, his vocals absolutely take over this song. The fact that i can't understand what he is saying just makes it all the more beautiful. This is my second favorite song on this album.
The next track is probably the happiest thing i've ever heard, Halling begins blazing with extremely upbeat guitars and just when you don't think it couldn't get any happier, it does. This song seriously, sounds like the Happy Birthday song. Enough said. Following this outburst of happy, Utreise comes in with some slower more depressive guitar work and a nice lead that varies throughout the song. Some good vocal and cello work here, good song. Søfu-ør Paa Allfers Lund is full of weird guitar work and even weirder rhythms. This song is so addicting, you WILL get it stuck in your head. It's basically the same thing for 2 minutes.
The last track Ulvsblakk is a 7-minute epic and is definitely the best song on the CD. Awesome guitar work, awesome leads, awesome vocals. This song uses alot of variations of the other riffs on the CD while alternating them within new rhythms and leads. Awesome track.
Strengths...
The musicianship is amazing, the guitars fit together perfectly. Intricately weaving in and out of leads and rythms.
The vocals are some of the best vocals i've ever heard. No screams, no 'Arcturus' style of vocals. Garm has the voice of an angel on this album.
Relaxing, ambient, depressing yet still beautiful, i don't know how many bands can pull this off.
This is probably the most beautiful album I own. Amazingly tranquil.
Weaknesses...
Most of the songs range from about 2-3 minutes, except for the last track which is 7 minutes. This may put some people off
The total playing time is only about 30 minutes, though it seems like alot more.
The song 'Halling' is so out of place on this album.
Total Rating: 4.3/5
