My favorite album right now is the new release from the Denmark band Efterklang called “Magic Chairs”. We happened to see them live about a month ago at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, sort of by chance. The show was opened by the duo Buke and Gass which I had heard previously on the NPR program Radiolab, one of my personal fav’s. After hearing them on the radio, since they were so incredibly enticing and inventive, I immediately looked at their upcoming shows list on their webpage. When I saw that they would be at the Walker, I knew I’d be going one way or the other. I was slightly disappointed, on first glance, to see that they were only opening the show and I more or less figured that I could probably sit through the following band (Efterklang), regardless of what I thought of them.
In a very not me sort of way, I did little to no research on Efterklang prior to the performance. Usually, I’d get myself mildly acquainted with the sound of a band that I’ve not heard before, and normally get some sort of idea as to what they look like, etc. I did do a very brief web search on Efterklang but couldn’t find the results that I had hoped for so I just gave up and decided to wing it.
Buke and Gass were as expected the night of the show. In my eyes, at least, they’re extremely fresh sounding, unique, and have a life of their own that just grips me in a special sort of way. As a songwriter/musician myself, I was often taking mental notes while they played and often times wishing that I’d come up with something as inventive as their music. They played for just a little under an hour and I promptly purchased both of their CD’s at the merchandise stand afterwards.
And so, onward to Efterklang, this band I knew virtually nothing about. I really had no idea what to expect but figured, since they were paired up with Buke and Gass, that they would be at least somewhat similar. When the band came onto the stage for the performance, I was, well, quite dumbfounded. First off, there were a lot of members in the band, somewhere around eight total, which was a bit more than I was used to seeing. The thing that really threw me off was that they were set up on the stage in a very reminiscent manner not unlike some of the new wave videos I recall from the early 80’s on MTV, such as like the bands Real Life, the Human League, Spandau Ballet, etc. It was kind of odd. Of all the hundreds of shows I’ve seen, I’ve never seen anyone setup in this manner…ever. To make it even weirder, both the singer/front man and the bass player were dressed as if it was actually 1981, both with mustaches and shirts that looked to have time warped from that very year. The singer wore a neon green sort of sleeveless shirt, something I haven’t seen for literally 20 years. It kind of made me uncomfortable, to be frank.
Needless to say, I was completely thrown off. Then, the music began, and they opened with the track “Full Moon” which completely sounded like a new wave ripoff. I was like, are you kidding me? You pair Buke and Gass, this extremely fresh and sort of aggressively gripping duo with a new wave knock off? I couldn’t believe it. As someone who really more or less despises when “new bands” simply remake the past, especially the 80’s, having lived through that era, can you say instant turn off? Don’t get me wrong, now. The 80’s new wave era was fine…in the 80’s, but why the heck would you want to redo this, or better yet relive it? I at least have no interest, let’s put it that way.
And so, Efterklang and I totally began on the wrong footing. I was ready to leave after about 2 songs. I felt almost insulted having to sit there and listen to them. The fact that my significant other, who sort of never really grew out of the 80’s new wave era, was totally digging them made it even worse. It was just what I didn’t need. Ugh.
Gradually, as Efterklang played through their set, the music was widening and I was just starting to hear a bit more in their work. It was just about that time that the lead vocalist did this thing called “the test”, where he wanted everyone to stand up, put their arms out, and measure the length of their arms or something ridiculous like that, which ultimately led into some non-amusing joke. As someone who simply despises audience participation let alone something as stupid as this, can you say total mega turn off?! It seemed in the cards that Efterklang and I would leave the performance hating one another.
And then a little more than half way through the show, they started playing songs that were just, well, interesting. I started watching various members of the band more closely and couldn’t help but admire how tightly they played together. This was a band that was really tight, as musicians say, and played effortlessly in a sort of unison that you don’t see that often. Each band member was really into it, too. I also couldn’t help but admire the wide range of instruments used, like violin, trumpet, etc.
The song that started to win me over was “Raincoats”, where the band began by doing this clapping in unison thing that reminded me of the Pat Metheny Group performing “The First Circle”. It was really quite amazing to watch and all the band members were really into it in a way that showed true passion. It was hard not to be moved by it. I started thinking to myself, okay, maybe they’re not soooo bad after all.
Towards the end, they played their newest single, more or less, called “Modern Drift”. I couldn’t help but admire the unique pop sensibility of it. It was like nothing else I had ever heard and yet extremely catchy…but not annoying at all. The bass riff in the refrain, as simple as it was, was totally brilliant.
They ended with “Mirror Mirror” which completely blew me away, although I was trying not to show it. What a fabulous song: emotional, haunting, and unique. Efterklang’s usage of harmonies and background chants is simply fabulous, especially with a female voice added. The ending of the song was extended and they did a kind of acapella end to allow the entire band to slowly move off of the stage and then into the audience. It was kind of jaw dropping. Again, I’ve never seen anything like it, although I didn’t want to immediately admit that out loud.
And so, we purchased “Magic Chairs” on the way out of the show. I decided to give it just one listen, fully expecting to hate it. Well, I didn’t hate it, and after many listens now…I can’t help but love the album. It’s quite simply phenomenal.
This is a fine example of how a band has to win over its’ audience members. I began by despising everything about them and have now become a fan. What can I say? My hat is off to you, Efterklang! I’m now a believer! My only advice is to drop the “test”…seriously…
Go grab a copy of “Magic Chairs” and give it a listen. It’s quite possibly one of the best albums I’ve heard all year.
