Owen Pallett, canadian violinist, pianist and multi-instrumentalist, known for his collaborating with bands like the Arcade Fire, Alex Turner's Last Shadow Puppets, Grizzly Bear, Beirut, Fucked Up, The Hidden Cameras, and the list goes on - but not least for his excellent solo work, previously as Final Fantasy, more recently as Owen Pallett; his He Poos Clouds won the honorable canadian Polaris Music Prize in 2006, and this year he is back with his third album: Heartland.
And what an album. Heartland is basically a concept album, revolving around the imaginary farmer Lewis, in Owen's imaginary land Spectrum, where he himself is god. A short summary: Lewis leaves his wife and his children to devote his life to his god, but when he sees Owen's indifference toward his people and his world, and when he realize he is in fact just Owen's homosexual fantasy, he turns in his faith, climbs Mt. Alpentine, and kills Owen.
The music is beautiful and orchestral, at times pompous and overwhelming - more so than Owen's previous efforts. An interesting element is the increased use of synths and electronics, but then again, it sounds more electronic than it actually is. The music perfectly accompanies the lyrics; "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt" like "Tryst With Mephistopheles" is marching-music, and the short "Mt. Alpentine" is intense like a storm. Not to mention that the lyrics are built like a fairytale, and at times they resemble poems:
"I am overrated," said the sculptress to the sea.
"I've been praised for all the ways the marble leaves the man,
And I was wrong to try and free him."
This man is immensely talented. I won't post Heartland here, but I will post the Lewis Takes Action 7" as a teaser. I expect all of you (my probably 0 readers) to go buy Heartland, or else. (or else you'll miss out on it. and that is too bad.)
Lewis Takes Action
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