He Poos Clouds [Import]

 

 

Create your own review

No, this is not THAT Final Fantasy. This is Owen Pallett, who has backed up the Hidden Cameras and Arcade Fire, and whose classical training comes in handy for some of the weirdest pop out there. "He Poos Clouds" is a bizarre mixup of atheism, death, experimental violin and... Dungeons and Dragons.

It opens with a sharp classical violin solo, which makes you sit up straight. "She drives a little white car to the seminar on Modern Romance/Possible possible ideas for a date include... a shooting range/And her chest is full to bursting with thoughts of an evening..." murmurs Pallett, telling a story of two people who long for love, but have hearts "that will never melt."

He trips through a tense, heart-pouncing ode to fantasy ("Gotta rescue Michael from the White Witch!/Gotta find and kill my shadow self!") and into all varieties of oddball violin'n'piano pop: eerie sea ballads, trippy one-minute songs, swirling experimental pop, and everything that lies in between those styles.

The peak of the album is "This Lamb Sells Condos," an exquisite piano-led ballad with obscure D&D references melting into the real life. Halfway through the song, the strings quietly smother the piano in a quavery blanket, and a chorus of angelic voices sing hopeless lyrics. It's absolutely stunning.

Classical and experimental existentialist geek rock -- what exactly can you call this style? Well, whatever it is, it sounds quite different from the rawer, more down-to-earth sound of Final Fantasy's first album, with a more ethereal sound and more cultivated lyrics.

The core of this album is Pallett's violin skills, which have a prominent place in every song. The violin sings, shivers, slashes and just dances through the songs; at times it sounds like a soundtrack, moving along in peculiar jumps and leaps. The ethereal edge is enhanced by some well-placed horns and timpani, and that angelic choir.

The music is only enhanced more by his slightly rambling, literate lyrics, sung in a smooth, meditative voice, with the occasional anguished wail when the song demands it. Not only does he write like a modern Wallace Stevens, but Pallett peppers his music with references to Yukio Mishima, designer clothes, Anne McCaffrey, Flann O'Brien, and (of course) D&D. ("And then as an apprentice, he took a Drowish mistress/Who bestowed upon his youthfulness a sense of Champagne Chic...")

Sounding like a depressed fanboy, with a violin in hand, Final Fantasy's second album is an exquisite, downbeat pleasure of good music. Absolutely fascinating.

This album is completely deserving of being chosen for a prestigious spot on amazon's list for the year's best albums. Owen Pallett has single-handedly orchestrated songs which are heartbreakingly beautiful, haunting, and catchy all at once. His unique sound is sure to please both listeners looking for something highly innovative, as well as those who enjoy the soothing sounds of classical strings.

I had seen this CD a few times in stores and it had piqued my interest, but it always got put on the back burner in favour of other CDs. Well yesterday I finally gave it a listen and I am now kicking myself for not buying it months ago. I haven't been able to stop listening to it...it's utterly addictive. It was so amazing that I bought two copies of it...I just knew my friend would love this album and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't buy it for her.

The music itself is like Lord of the Rings soundtrack meets Sufjan Stevens. It's filled with dramatic, operatic elements. It's a very visceral, emotional album. One minute it makes you feel giddy and effervescent, the next you are left morose and despondent. It's a rollercoaster of an album.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 7 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual and interesting
This album is definitely unusual, and very hard to define. I love it, but I'd be hard pressed to tell anyone what it's like. Read more

Published on Feb 23 2009 by Julie Olsen

5.0 out of 5 stars great music
Love the orchestration, love the rhythmic play, the musicians are good and the CD is a pleasure to listen to. Read more

Published on Jan 30 2008 by Emmaursula

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm Addicted
I haven't been able to stop listening to this album ever since I bought it. It is, I dare to say, near-perfect. Multi-instrumentalist Owen Pallett has crafted a grand album. Read more

Published on Oct 4 2006 by Gumby

5.0 out of 5 stars Polaris Prize : Canadian best album of the year (05-06)
Awarded the first annual Polaris Prize for best Canadian album irrespective of sales, reputation, or genre for albums issued between June 05 and 06. Read more

Published on Sep 22 2006 by ncc

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 7 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!