It’s probably a lost cause in this download world but I miss cover art. In the heyday of vinyl, it was a selling point for an album – “Honey” by the Ohio Players is a particular favourite of mine – and provided those vital first impressions. One look at the muted tones of the portrait that graces the cover of “Philarmonics” by Danish singer songwriter Agnes Obel and I could foretell that this would be a serious album.
Indeed so it was proven to be. A curious album in many ways, it seems to take on a life of its own the more that you play it. Whilst modern at times – “Close Watch”, for example, is exactly what you would expect of a serious European singer these days – and consequently quite commercial, this album is otherwise possessed of an unexpected timelessness. I was reminded of the kind of music – “Just So” stands out here - that would be used as the soundtrack to Czech new wave films like Valerie and Her Week of Wonders in that it was possessed of an ethereal fragility and left you with an underlying feeling of unconventionality and perhaps even discord. There’s little in the way of complexity either with not much more than a basic accompaniment to assist Ms Obel’s voice in its mission to subtly enchant and entrance.
It is interesting that such subtlety as in on show here should have to be regarded as anachronistic with regard to current musical trends. However, “Philarmonics” remains an album that draws your attention and diverts you into an introspective world where fairytales might just be the truth.
The sound quality of the vinyl version reviewed was entirely acceptable and, as with so many albums that will have greatness thrust upon them, it seemed right at home spinning round at 33rpm.