As a music writer and photographer I am always looking for inspiration from artists who are distinctive and very special. But what do I mean by ‘very special’? Well, like most reviewers, I receive many albums to assess and out of a pile of fifty CDs I’d be extremely lucky to find one that could be categorised as ‘special,’ let alone ‘very special.’ It can be special for a number of reasons but a common thread is the song writing that patently comes from the heart, with poetic lyrics and an involving melody. The vocal is of course also very important as it’s the conduit for sentiments to be expressed; believably, sincerely and expressively. More often than not, the very best albums take a little while to reveal their brilliance. For me, prime examples are Radiodead’s OK COMPUTER, Jeff Buckley’s GRACE, Frames DANCE THE DEVIL, and Phil Campbell’s FRESH NEW LIFE - all now in my top ten albums of all time. Finally the record must have the power to touch me emotionally; to move me, sometimes to tears… Often it’s by a singer/songwriter, more rarely it’s by a band.

THE SWELL SEASON is from an Irish singer/songwriter who is both a band leader and solo artist. His name is Glen Hansard and his band is the Frames. Hansard now has a home in Eastern Europe where he has built a sizeable following after years of touring there. On this record (recorded in Prague) he is joined by Marketa Irglova on piano and vocals, and other Eastern European instrumentalists. It’s a potent combination that has resulted in a very special, very beautiful recording.

You will have favourite bands and/or solo artists, but you will also have to admit that it’s usually the case that not all their output has been great. Glen Hansard and the Frames unusually and consistently produce great records, and another Hansard solo album as good or better than this one is a mouth watering prospect. Opener This Low is a contemplative, introspective song communicated through Hansard’s unusually expressive vocal. With a stark piano and string backdrop, gorgeous melody and the most subtle of backing vocals from Irglova, the song leaves its emotional mark on me in a way few other songs ever have. Lyrically, it’s up there with his best songs; “We made a plan that was subject to change, so whatever way it works out we both get the blame, in the arms of this low…” This line alone makes me think that this album and song were written in a time of change and emotional turmoil.

Next track Sleeping adds weight to my observation with its message (“It’s so simple and fitting, the path that you are on, we’re not talking, there’s no secrets, there’s just a note that you have gone, and all that you’ve ever owned, is packed in the hall to go.”). Hansard’s vocal reflects an inevitability about the situation, underlined by another beautiful, simple instrumental arrangement and stunning melody. Falling Slowly raises the game a notch by the two voices coming together and climbing to quite stunning crescendos throughout the song. Hansard has never sounded so intense, so sincere, so emotional… Drown Out reflects anger at departing; “Drown out, the voice that breaks the silence, and talks the joy out of everything, you were found out and had to walk, in darkness without the only thing you care about.” The cello and viola passages add depth to a folk-tinged song of startling power and beauty.

Song after song delivers emotional hammer blows that cannot fail to move, involve and reflect. When Your Mind’s Made Up goes upbeat as Hansard sounds like he’s twisting a knife into the very heart of a highly tense and fraught moment, trying to rid himself of the memory… Leave is an epic, angry, gushing waterfall of a song with guitar and vocal in rampant union, while The Moon offers another stunning vocal duet that reaches heights you will not have heard before. The song builds to an almost unbearable climax before it allows you to breathe with an ending that peters out like a dying ember. The album concludes with the haunting Alone Apart, and the most magical, fragile and sincere vocal performance from Irglova. It’s a fitting end to a superb and memorable album. Hansard has moved (partially) away from the rock style that typifies a Frames album – it was not the right time or place. In so doing he has underlined his quality as one of the finest singer/songwriters around today. And in the process has created a very special album that you simply must own.

5/5

Photos By David Cleary (www.davidclearyart.com) and Bohdan Holomicek (black and white images)