(2021) Meer - Playing House          


Review:
Billed as an alternative progressive pop unit, this Norwegian octet skirts progressive rock territory as well. And from a qualitative perspective, the band executes the pop-related choruses with a college education. Lead singers Johanne-Margrethe Kippersund Nisdal (female) and Knut Kippersund-Nedsaf (male) alternate and coalesce throughout these radiantly melodic pieces embedded with strings, keys, guitars, and a rhythm section amid symphonic shadings, quirky segues, kaleidoscopic themes and more. With strong compositional frameworks, sparkling arrangements and good cheer, the album seamlessly flows into a wonderland via the band’s resilient and at times, power-packed delivery. The band spins a broad wall of sound, tinted with progressive rock-like passages and soft, ethereal vocals that sail with the wind due to Asa Ree’s nimble violin plucking and wistful subplots, leading to a brisk pulse sprinkled with harmonious lines. It’s a full-bodied production with background EFX treatments, streaming strings, and shadowy colorizations. Yet, “Honey” features Mats Lillehaug’s thumping rock beats in concert with a synth bass ostinato, followed by Johanne Kippersund Nesdal’s pensive iterations atop driving beats, while building a bit of tension along the way, joined by Knut Kippersund Nesdal’s vocalese, and flourishing toward a straight-four rock groove. Akin to other tracks, the musicians dole out memorable hooks, salving strings overlays and poignant lyricism that progresses with the imagery of a late-night tale, narrated with the lights out. — AllAboutJazz





Track Listing:
1. Picking Up the Pieces (6:15)
2. Beehive (4:37)
3. All at Sea (5:04)
4. Songs of Us (4:31)
5. Child (4:22)
6. You Were a Drum (3:25)
7. Honey (5:49)
8. Across the Ocean (4:43)
9. She Goes (4:16)
10. Where Do We Go from Here (4:53)
11. Lay It Down (6:44)


Media Report:
Genre: prog-rock
Country: Norway
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec, 16-bit PCM
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits

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