Efterklang - 'Parades' (The Leaf Label) Released 22/10/2007

The band describes ‘Parades’ as “a huge parade moving past the listener, each section creating a new experience”. You really need to listen intently, to get the depth of what they’re saying; because in the eighteen lengthy months it took to create the album, thirty guest musicians featured (including string and brass bands and three separate choirs). Thirty guest musicians in the space of one album is something pretty special indeed. Thankfully because of this, the cartoon dancing melodies and the wanton appropriation of Sufjan Stevens’ backing folk exemplified on ‘Polygyne’ place the album in a place where attention to the little things equals greatness (as we have often see from bands such as Sigur Rós).

You see this album is well thought, and researched; intricate in terms of just how much effort has been put into every melody; ‘Mirador’ may be a starlight twinkle of a tinkle on the xylophone; ‘Him Poe Poe’ may be a Christmas carol sounding lyrical ‘round’ from The Pogues (‘All the world, they’re singing out; tell the bells to ring it out’); but there is attention to the smaller sounds here. Aptly named, ‘Horseback tenors’ is epically orchestral and intricate; ‘Caravan’ could be Sufjan’s ‘Avalanche’ incarnate. Incorporating ‘Cutting Ice to Snow’ as the final showdown is wise; it’s a great track, with the possible affliction to heal. Listen alone in a darkened room and see the musical seams repair old wounds. The piano melody is understated, implemented with grace; the use of space and silence within the track mark it apart from others; it lulls you to revisit lost domains; it’s uplifting and thoughtful; it’s a gem of a song really.

Akin to much of Sufjan’s work, listening should be a chronological activity; attempting to listen to songs individually, will have heads a scratched as the thoughtful silences between tracks are missed, as are the tiny exclamations that lounge within the songs’ depths. You may as well listen to it with the pertinent pedantry reserved for instrumental works; it’s a soundtrack for moments pondered. In other words, don’t expect to crank it up loud and sing along, and you surely won’t be disappointed.