Meer – Playing House
Wow! That is all I can say about Meer’s new album on Karisma Records Playing House. This may be one of the best progressive rock albums of 2021, already.
This Hamar, Norway band, who started in 2008, consists of Johanne Kippersund on vocals; Knut Kippersund on vocals; Eivind Strømstad on guitar; Åsa Ree on violin; Ingvild Nordstoga Eide on viola; Ole Gjøstøl on piano; Morten Strypet on bass; and Mats Lillehaug on drums. Yes, indeed a mini orchestra.
They started as a duo known as Ted Glen Extended, and they expanded into an eight-piece band. They play progressive rock, symphonic, orchestral, and melodic music.
Playing House was released on January 29, 2021. It is a symphonic masterpiece with many tracks which could easily make most reviewers top 10 lists of the year.
So, lets get started. It all kicks off with “Picking Up the Pieces”, which opens like some of Kansas’ latest songs: Beautiful piano and strings. Then, Johanne Kippersund, sings her first vocals. She sounds like a great mix between Björk and maybe Nancy Wilson of Heart. She sings, “Light a spark. Light a candle. Light a torch. Can you handle it. From a crumb to an army. From a wave to a tsunami. From a child. To a leader. And all this time we waited. For something beautiful”. Wow! Dynamic progression of life in lyrics. Deep, thought provoking lyrics, set to masterful musicianship. Great drums, bass, keys, and guitar work. An excellent opener. The keyboards from Ole Gjøstøl, are absolutely stellar. “And all this time we waited. For something beautiful”….indeed. Well, wait no more. It is here!
They follow that monster with an even bigger production on “Beehive”. At times this sounds like a James Bond Movie Theme. Yes, I’m talking about Gold Finger. On this song, Johanne Kippersund is pure Björk. (By the way, I always thought Björk already wrote an excellent Bond Theme – “Come to Me”). The lyrics are sensual and Bond – like. It is an amazing song that you will not want to end. It opens with bold piano, and strings; but don’t let that regal opening fool you. There is some fun to be had here. When Johanne raises her voice, she hits the Nancy Wilson, or Sinatra level. But when she’s singing sweet, its pure Björk. They have captured emotion, pure thought and power in a bottle, here. At times it gets so heavy it gets close to grunge. Everything you could want in a single or song of the year.
How do you follow those two monsters? They capture your attention early with slow plucked guitar and ethereal sounds, along with the sounds of the sea, on “All at Sea”. Knut Kippersund’s first vocals, “Anchors away!”, surrounded by strings, bass, drums and slow guitar. A nice song of the sea, which surrounds Norway.
“Songs of Us”, is like a beautiful Fleet Foxes style, vocal song, set to wonderful ethereal guitar. Johanne Kippersund and Knut Kippersund, sing duo vocals, as strings play around them.
“Child”, is an excellent lyrical song, full of Knut Kippersund’s vocals and a few surrounding guitars and keyboard wonders. Great beat and story-telling.
“You Were a Drum”, is just what you might have expected. Drums welcome strings, then Johanne Kippersund’s voice. Beautiful violin and viola, fed by drums, keyboards and guitar.
“Honey”, opens with syncopated guitar and Johanne Kippersund’s voice. A vocal driven song about sexual abuse.
“Across the Ocean”, is the second-best song on the album. Imagine every ocean themed song you’ve heard and watch it play out on this song. Playful, whimsical guitar, strings, bass and drums fill the air. Freedom and escape to a promised land. Knut Kippersund sings, “I’ve been waiting here forever. Beyond my body there’s a universe, so close to me. Beyond my borders. Where I’m on the verge of a symphony. But it’s out of reach”. Close your eyes and dream of crossing the ocean, to the promised land.
“She Goes”, is full of that Bond Theme power we heard on “Beehive”. However, this song has another story. The power of Johanne and Knut Kippersund singing at full volume is grand.
“Where Do We Go from Here”, is full of deep bass and Knut Kippersund’s slow vocal delivery. A sort of downtrodden lyrical song. Well sung with emotion.
“Lay it Down”, is Johanne Kippersund’s vocal song. The music sounds a little like something I remember from Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie, only this time with more strings.
“Hear I Go Again”, is Johanne Kippersund’s and the bands attempt to cover a Whitesnake classic. It is much slower than the original Whitesnake version and less dramatic. Which is a surprise, after all of the dramatic music before it. This time the song is a piano and vocal solo. She does a wonderful job of expressing the emotions. Later, drums, keys and bass are added. A good cover for sure. Johanne brings the blues. On this song she sounds like Joss Stone. In fact, I would expect a Joss Stone cover of this song to sound much like this, maybe without the strings.
This album must be added to your record collection for 2021. It will finish high on my list for sure. I’m in. Consider Meer added to my watch list. Fantastic prog to finish the first quarter of 2021.
Tracklist:
- Picking up the pieces – 6:15
- Beehive – 4:38
- All at Sea – 5:05
- Songs of Us – 4:31
- Child – 4:23
- You Were a Drum – 3:25
- Honey – 5:50
- Across the Ocean – 4:44
- She Goes – 4:17
- Where do We Go from Here – 4:53
- Lay it Down – 6:45
- Here I Go Again – 5:39
https://meer.bandcamp.com/album/playing-house
https://www.facebook.com/MEERmusikk/