Grand Opening - Don't Look Back into the Darkness
by Fiona Hutchings
published: 14 / 10 / 2013
Label:
Tapete Records
Format: CD
intro
Melancholically beautiful and subtle fourth album from the Grand Opening, the project of Stockholm multi-instrumentalist John Roger Olsson
The Grand Opening is the project of Stockholm multi-instrumentalist John Roger Olsson, a man who is counted among the finest representatives of this art. His work is seen as featuring what some call 'the Swedish component' which is defined as a deep melancholy woven beautifully into the music. Thus is what sets it apart from the music of bands Olsson is often grouped with such as Talk Talk or American Music Club. Alongside that component that seems to evoke the lonely but romantic image of the Swedish countryside, Olsson explores themes of a man’s place in his world and his personal memories of the past, which were inspired by some old family photos he found. One of these photos provided the album cover, a faded and ghostly image of his family. 'Blacker Than Blue' is a beautiful, gentle opener that sets the tone for the whole album. The guitars are slow but it sounds more measured than lazy and the mood is peaceful. Songs are uncluttered but not stark. The lyrics are given space to breathe. 'Towards Your Final Rest' has the quality of a hymn, and 'Free' is uplifting and forward looking. 'Old News' is reflective and 'Target' features unobtrusive but uplifting brass. 'Over The Fences' pushes the vocals to the front, and 'Tired Eyes' closes proceedings. ‘Don't Look Back into Darkness’ is perfectly comfortable with itself and manages to maintain a consistent tone without feeling repetitive. It walks the line between intensely personal and accessible. The real magic is in its subtlety. Paying attention will pay musical dividends.
Track Listing:-
1 Blacker Than Blue2 False Light
3 Towards Your Final Rest
4 Free
5 There Is Always Hope
6 Old News
7 Target
8 The Living
9 Over the Fences
10 Tired Eyes
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/thegrandopeninghttp://www.tgomusic.com/
https://twitter.com/thegrandopening
http://tgomusic.bandcamp.com/
https://instagram.com/thegrandopening
Label Links:-
http://www.tapeterecords.de/https://www.facebook.com/tapeterecords
https://twitter.com/tapete
https://www.youtube.com/user/tapeterecords/videos
bandcamp
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeySimon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart