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Reviews

Meer — Playing House
(Karisma KAR207, 2021, CD / 2LP / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2021-11-05

Playing House Cover art

As far as I can tell, this Norwegian band shares no members with any of the other Norwegian bands I’ve heard, which sets it in an exclusive club. Meer is based in Hamar, an inland town north of Oslo with a population a bit over 30,000. The eight-member band consists of Johanne Kippersund (vocals), Knut Kippersund (vocals), Eivind Strømstad (guitar), Åsa Ree (violin), Ingvild Nordstoga Eide (viola), Ole Gjøstøl (keyboards), Morten Strypet (bass), and Mats Lillehaug (drums), and, as might be expected with such a large lineup, has a big sound. Both vocalists are good singers, with Knut providing a pleasant breathy tone and Johanne contributing a strong folky flavor, and they work well together. I’m somewhat reminded of other independent bands like New Pornographers, Hey Marseille,  and Of Montreal, though Meer definitely has their own expansive sound. I wouldn’t want to oversell any connections to progressive rock, but I find a spirit of adventurousness about their music that is quite enjoyable, as well as a willingness to let the art stretch beyond the conventions of pop music. Each of the 12 songs has its own sound, with a great variety of tempo, denseness, and intensity, and I find I enjoy it more every time I listen. Meer should be a bit hit among fans of melodic progressive rock as well as fans of creative art-pop.

Filed under: New releases, 2021 releases

Related artist(s): Meer

More info
http://meer.bandcamp.com/album/playing-house

 

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