Faces Down

If you're American and don't know who Sondre Lerche is, go rent Dan in Real Life. It's a great movie, and Lerche did the music. It will give you a good idea of what you're in for here. However, his albums are much much more. He blends jazz and alternative into a sound that is at once hopeful and melancholy. A consistently great feel that you'd have to be crazy not to enjoy.

I am blown away at Sondre's talent. His song writing ability is up there with John Lennon, Jeff Lynn and Paul McCartney. There's no weak songs on this cd. Every song is unique and strong. Sondre sounds like an unplugged John Lennon. His voice reminds me a little of the singer from They Might Be Giants, but much better - much wider range. I think he has a very cool voice.

Any of Sondre's fans will love to have this album. It was his first album and includes the first released versions of Sleep on Needles, You Know So Well, and Dead Passengers. I had only heard his newer takes on these songs, and it was a treat to hear them in a completely different way, especially Sleep on Needles. At least two of the songs are complete misses, but the rest of the album makes up for it. Any Sondre fans should have this album!

This is easily one of the best artists and CD's of the last 5 years. Refreshing melodies and just plain fun! What a relief from the cloned junk that we keep being fed.

What more could you want? In Faces Down, Sondre Lerche brings us some real gems, and gives some class and dignity back to the pop music genre. Many people associate pop with some (in my opinion) tasteless artists, but Sondre helps to remove the tarnish. His polished and thorough melodies remind me of Aimee Mann on Magnolia in terms of how well the songs are put together, not necessarily musically speaking.

It amazes me how well his melodies work, and how intentional each instrument feels. They are complex but immediately accessible, like a really good red wine. Okay, maybe that's a cliche. But I love his vocals, a cute and charming accent, but a strong voice too. As I said of another album, there are fans of music and fans of lyrics, this will delight both. The lyrics are so quirky and fun that is a delight to listen. His metaphors are unique and slightly skewed, but in the best way possible so that it is a good thing.

Some of my favorite songs:
You Know So Well - my first love and the strongest. Opens with guitars so sweet I feel like they are pop's answer to the violin. His crooning and lyrics take you in immediately - "If there's one thing I know, it goes like this / when I'm down and out it's you I miss".
Sleep on Needles - "Ask me anything you like, I'll reveal everything" - we believe you. It took me awhile to love this song, but now I'm hooked. A faster song and a fun one.
Suffused with Love - at first I skipped this song but then the somewhat puzzing lyrics grabbed me, an upbeat song that invites you to nod your head and chair-dance.
No One's Gonna Come - I love the singing and the lyrics. Hard to describe. Another one with aching but also cheery inquisitiveness.

In a statement, this album can be listened to, over and over again. Great album in my books. Can't wait for the Phantom Punch!

The line "Judging by your smile, you're holding something back" from Sleep on Needles can be applied quite well to this artist. He is going to give us more and more in the years to come.