Majdanek Waltz -
Hamlet's Childhood
14,5 Euro with shipping sold out
pressed
cd/ digibook
The opening track
‘Ожидание’ (Suspense) is a drone-based ambient
composition, with operatic vocal samples reminiscent of
Horologium’s ‘industrial nostalgia’ discernible deep
below the enveloping, expectant hum which slides across
the stereo channels. This segues into ‘Всё будет так,
как хочется зиме’ (Everything Is Going To Be In Winter
Way). Male spoken word vocals are accompanied by
acoustic guitar, bayan, the traditional Russian
accordion, and viola, in a simple folk ballad
arrangement very much in the vein of German neo-folk
projects like Darkwood, Hekate or Sonne Hagal, or the
recent acoustic album from Dornenreich, In Luft Gerizt,
as well as eastern European neo-folk acts like Cawatana
or Scivias. The production on this track is particularly
clear and intimate – it really sounds like the band is
playing right next to you. ‘Гамлет’ (Hamlet) features
female vocals, again simply and clearly spoken, duetting
with the male vocalist Pavel Blyumkin, against a
backdrop of gentle neo-classical, with prominent viola
and soft, unobtrusive bass. The total absence of drums
or percussion on the album fosters a quietly involving
mood – this music cradles your heart rather than getting
in your face. The next few tracks follow a similar path
– lots of viola, guitar and accordion. The eighth track,
‘Под землю’ (Down To Underground), is an instrumental
piece for solo piano, and the following track, ‘Вечер’ (Evening),
is an ensemble piece, also featuring piano alongside
both male and female vocals. The final track, ‘Ноябрь’ (November),
includes a hidden track after some minutes of silence,
which is a treated sample of a French chanteuse,
possibly Edith Piaf.
Hamlet’s Childhood is an
evocative and beautiful collection, with the dark
emotions evoked being perfectly complemented by the
moody black and white photos of ruined buildings on the
oversized gatefold card sleeve. Don’t let the language
barrier hold you back from exploring the work of
Majdanek Waltz.
by: monkeyhouse
http://www.myspace.com/majdanekwaltz
