Recorded in a cabin outside of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the new album by
Mar is much more upbeat than their debut and features Bright Eyes' violinist
Anton Patzner and celleist Zoe Keating of Imogen Heap (and, earlier, Rasputina).
In contrast, their debut was recorded in Iceland and featured Jimmy Lavalle
of The Album Leaf and Black Heart Processional and also Samuli Kosminen
of MuM.
I've always heard that Iceland has one of the highest rates of
depression among residents and maybe the results of this new album by
Mar proves that recording in the States instead has made it a lot less somber
than their previous release. Either way, the string arrangements on this
album are beautiful, no matter how it happened. In fact, the haunting
fragility
of these songs adds to their beauty and Mar is able to carry off the
songs' delicate power like pros, although the vocals don't impress me as
much
as I would have hoped. Nonetheless, you will be hearing a lot about this
band. Be prepared to fall under their spell.
MAR
