Ólafur Arnalds - Eulogy for Evolution (2007)

For the first half of the album, it's hard to believe that Ólafur Arnalds was once a drummer for an Icelandic metal band. But once the drums kick in on '3055', it becomes quite apparent.

Eulogy for Evolution, Arnalds' debut album, has a strange concept behind it, involving the photo artwork in the booklet and the time at which the photos were taken (it's hard to explain). Right from the title track '0040' we are exposed to Arnalds' talents as a multi-instrumentalist, with a haunting string arrangement that eases into a mellow piano. As the strings return, the piano slowly drifts out so the song finishes as it started. '0048/0729' brings an abrupt end to the strings, only to introduce them again as the track progresses.

The album continues this calming trend through to '3055', where it just explodes with all kinds of awesomeness. The strings and the piano gain a new intensity that the drums bring to the song. It makes for a truly amazing crescendo that's like nothing I've ever heard. '3326' is entirely a string arrangement, which leads into the album closer '3704/3837', a surprising climax which features distorted guitars and more drums, showcasing Arnalds' metal roots, before distorting back into the mellow piano for a fitting finish. At first this climax can be a bit off-putting, but after a few listens it seems to fit in perfectly.

Ólafur Arnalds does what any great composer and instrumentalist should. He creates a powerful atmosphere in his music without the need for vocals. As remarkable as the music alone is, what makes it all the more staggering is Arnalds himself. It's quite something to realize that when he made this masterpiece, he was only 20 years old.

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Kayo Dot - Choirs of the Eye (2003)

This album, holy shit. Kayo Dot's music stops time and takes you out of your body. Choirs of the Eye is one of my favorite albums of all time and sets the standard for all music. The first track, "Marathon", is one of the best songs ever. The beginning makes this the perfect song to wake up in the morning, and gives that HOLY SHIT feeling right as you put the CD in the player (or right when you press play in Winamp). I won't give an exact moment in the song because almost everything is amazing. The burst at the beginning, the BRUTAWLITY that there is before, and the ambient second part that starts around 4:30 that can freeze time and suddenly everything is in slow motion. Thankfully after this song there is "A Pitch of Summer" so we can recover from the burst of geniousness.

Did I say the next song helped you rest? Lies! What you think is a ballad like song ends building up into a complete monster that may RAPE your ears. Don't come here unprepared. Then there's "The Manifold Curiosity", perhaps the greatest song on this album. I could simply say that the whole song is speechless. I don't know why every little note from this album touches my heart like no other band does. There are many great moments in this song that make me want to close my eyes and just lie on my bed listening to it. The sudden "musical explosion" that would make people jump if they come unprepared (4:40), the subtle background riff at 5:55 that always makes me smile...

But the real standout of this song is the amazing build up until the end that concludes with the most BRUTAWL piece of music ever. If there is one song that makes people shit, it's this. All the second part of this song is either the build up for this climax, or it. I'm never able to move properly when it comes, I feel nervous, like if the world would end in just a few seconds, and when the guitar begins with the crushing riff at 10:25, I already know it's too late. Don't try to talk me there, because I'll be unable to move. Also, check how loud the snare is at the end, holy shit.

Fortunately (or not) "Wayfarer" is all nice and pretty with cool solo but there isn't any holy shit moments (there are, but nothing that deserves begin in the HOLY FUCKING SHIT list). A cool relax after "The Manifold Curiosity". The final track, "The Antique", is less dramatic than in "The Manifold Curiosity", since the song is overall much heavier and doesn't build up like the other does, but it's still really great, especially when the acoustic riffing comes. Brutality paired up with something beautiful make an amazing pair. Also, the ending after that is really something magic, and IMO, the best thing of this song.

Get this album right now. You won't regret it.

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