Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Harlan...and why I continue to check out self-releases

I've got a review up today of a really lovely, dark-wave, home-recorded album by John Harlan Norris....who goes by the name of Harlan professionally.

It's up at Blurt today. Here's a bit.

Harlan
Night Loop
(Self-released)

This third album from the Louisiana-based synth pop artist summons the sweep and drama of late new wave (Echo & the Bunnymen, the Psychedelic Furs, the Cure) into the bedroom. Its self-recorded intimacy cross-hatches epic climaxes with vulnerability.

Harlan began as a solo project from electronic experimenter John Harlan Norris, who built his first album The Still Beat entirely alone, relying on synthesizers, programmed drums and loops. Night Loop, by contrast, incorporates more live musicians and natural sounds, Norris' elegant, florid voice framed by guitar and piano, as well as electronic sounds.

More


"Daffodil"

"You're a Teenager"

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