Yann Tiersen - Skyline
by Paul Waller
published: 9 / 12 / 2011

Label:
Mute Records
Format: CD
intro
Icy and ethereal post rock on seventh studio album from French singer-songwriter and composer, Yann Tiersen
On first listen Frenchman Yann Tiersen’s latest record is quite the cold and sombre affair. Lots of minor chords bring a somewhat melancholic feel to the proceedings. 'Skyline' is my introduction to Yann and I have to admit I was expecting a far more reflective and folky record. A layman like me would see the track titles like 'Forgive Me' and 'I’m Gonna Live Anyhow' and believe this initial thought to be correct but once you have heard it, underlining this record is a huge grasp of what is commonly known as post rock, the sort of sonic path that Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai tread. This is something that I didn’t expect at all, especially if you are familiar with Tiersen’s soundtrack work for the film 'Amelie' which I am now. How he travelled from that to this is a musical tale I may well have to explore. 'I’m Gonna Live Anyhow' is every bit as ethereal and experimental as anything on the new Fleet Foxes record ,but the production is a little too bright for my liking. Thankfully 'Skyline' begins to make a skewed kind of sense with the wobbly perfection of 'Hesitation Wound'. It’s on this track in particular that the listener is transported upon a freaky musical journey of discovery - That discovery being just how many studio effects and bizarre sounds can be embezzled into a four minute song and still make complete sense. It’s honestly insane that this works so well. So far this week I’ve listened to this record a dozen times and I fear I haven’t even scratched the surface. It’s a brave and bleak listen and the freezing cold vibe that emanates from this disc could well thaw with time but for now I feel I am still just chipping away at some impenetrable black of ice.
Track Listing:-
1 Another shore2 I'm gonna live anyhow
3 Monuments
4 The Gutter
5 Exit 25 block 20
6 Hesitation wound
7 Forgive Me
8 The Trial
9 Vanishing Point
Band Links:-
http://yanntiersen.com/https://www.facebook.com/yanntiersen.official
https://twitter.com/yanntiersen
https://www.youtube.com/user/YannTiersenOfficial
https://plus.google.com/114379630538203506021
https://www.songkick.com/artists/349684-yann-tiersen
Label Links:-
http://mute.com/https://www.facebook.com/muterecords
https://twitter.com/MuteUK
https://www.youtube.com/user/themutechannel
Have a Listen:-
soundcloud
reviews |
Dust Lane (2010) |
![]() |
Absorbing and atmospheric sixth album from French composer and musician Yann Tiersen, influenced by the death of his mother and also one of his close friends |
most viewed articles
current edition
Pennyblackmusic - Writers and Photographers' Albums of the Year 2024Man From Delmonte - Interview
Pennyblackmusic - Book of the Year Award 2024
Clive Langer - Interview
Johnnie Johnstone - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Reflections
Laura Nyro - Profile
Vinyl Stories - Vinyl 2024
Bob Dylan - A Complete Unknown
Johny Brown - Corpse Flower
most viewed reviews
current edition
Ringo Starr - Look UpDusty Springfield - The BBC Sessions
Pixie Lott - Encino
Emily Burns - Die Happy
Oïmiakon - Comptoir Des Vanites
Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
Dorie Jackson - Stupid Says Run
Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?
Unthanks - In Winter
Beabadoobee - This is How The World Moves
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