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Product Description
Review
“Music your parents like too” is how Kings of Convenience describe themselves on their MySpace profile. It’s a telling statement; self-effacing, sure, but not without a grain of truth – a tacit acknowledgement that the music Eirik Bøe and Erlend Øye make isn’t the kind to offend millions, move mountains, part oceans. No, it’s lovely, pretty, well crafted; it’s nice. And sometimes, well, that’s just plenty.
After a prolonged period of inactivity, the pair reconvened in Mexico to play their first show in two years, where Declaration of Dependence was gestated (on the very beach that features on the album cover, in fact). Its title aims to set right the bad press ‘dependence’ often receives, reflecting the fruitful working relationship the duo share. More than that, it also addresses the perils of the modern age: the plethora of options and opportunity surrounding us that threatens to engulf and consume as much as it does amuse and enlighten.
Of course, such worldly cogitation doesn’t fall squarely under the ‘nice’ bracket, and this record (the band’s third) boasts enough twists and turns to elevate it far above the banal. The sparse pleas of Renegade – and its haunting parting shot – are memorable and affecting, while the sedate arpeggios of album closer Scars on Land resonate long after it ceases to play. A distinctive bossa nova streak also runs through the album, making its presence felt early in the delightful Mrs. Cold and culminating on the whimsical Freedom and Its Owner.
Riot on an Empty Street also features, an evocative number dating back to 2001, forming a perpetual thorn in the duo’s side in terms of recording the thing. It’s gorgeous, but no more so than 24-25, which opens proceedings: a serene jam where Bøe and Øye’s gossamer harmonies entwine around each other with nimble grace.
It sets a high precedent, and one that Declaration of Dependence emphatically lives up to. Perhaps the highest compliment you can pay Kings of Convenience in 2009 is that for an act whose success stems directly from their effortlessly intuitive style, they’ve never sounded quite as effortless – or as intuitive – as they do here.
Heck, your parents will probably like it too. --James Skinner
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CD Description
Kings of Convenience's third album, Declaration of Dependence, is a wonderful record for a lot of reasons. For one, Eirik Bøe is equally comfortable talking about the record’s "serious ideas" and laughing about its "hi-brow Bossa Nova" moments while his partner Erlend Øye is clearly thrilled by making, "the most rhythmical pop record ever that features no percussion or drums". For another, there is no one who makes records like they do. "When we started out we were afraid of sounding like other artists," Erlend says. "But now we feel pretty much alone." But the most striking thing about this album is how powerfully it reminds you that making music together is not a game, it’s not something to be undertaken lightly, this record is part of a much larger picture, a long and involved relationship that has had its good and bad times.
As beautiful as you would expect–-and songs like "Second to Numb", "Rule My World" and "24-25" are as perfectly realised as anything they’ve ever written-–Declaration of Dependence also marks the beginning of a new era for the duo. The record began to take shape in February 2007 when they met up on the same beach in Mexico that is pictured on the album's cover. The pair came together to play a concert in the city the following month, the first time they had appeared together in more than two years. They shared a feeling that there was another record to be made. “Really,” says Eirik “We had no choice.”
Declaration of Dependence is the story of two people living two very different lives sensing that they are immensely more powerful together than apart. In that sense it is the most adult, the most mature record Kings of Convenience have ever made. That it is their most gripping, their most revealing is, if anything, just a by-product of that honesty and their endeavour.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
being in love,
By
This review is from: Declaration of Dependence (Audio CD)
Love takes on many forms and when at the Warwick Arts Centre KOC gig a man just in front of me shouted 'I love you' and for the first time in my heterosexual life I felt like saying the same to not one, but two men. They played many of the tracks that appear on this album and some how managed to exceed the quality. 'Boat Behind' was truly brought to life by the wonderful violinist.
In many respect this album is very similar to the two previous ones. '24-25' and 'Mrs Cold' set the tone and high standard. 'Renegade' was my favourite song from the gig. It's powerful emotional lyric is truly haunting. Kings of Convenience are an amazing band whose genius is sadly largely unknown. This album was well worth waiting for and I hope we don't have to wait another 4 years for the next.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dreams burn but in ashes are gold,
This review is from: Declaration of Dependence (Audio CD)
Another deft, delicate album arrives from the classy duo making intelligent yet emotional, long-lasting mellow-wise songs.
I'm relieved and inspired that the Kings have maintained their quality, and the voices are as rich and as blended here with their rich guitars as ever. The understatement wields a deft balance, and the inclusion of higher vocals in places - Me in You - makes you catch your breath again. I just wish there was still more... more light, atmospheric rhythms and more light touches. That's a hallmark of a good album though .. and hopefully, there will be... Continuing to prove that quiet is still the best loud. And right up there next to my Laura Veirs and Embertime ;) albums...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's great to have them back,
By giovanni (Greece) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Declaration of Dependence (Audio CD)
Geeky , polite and as sweet as two 6-month old babies , the Kings Of Convenience have won a special place in the hearts of their fans not only for their gentle melodies but also for the wonderful wonderful friendship they display on stage and during interviews . The norwegian Simon & Garfunkel as they are often called , their latest offering " Declaration Of Depedence " comes five years after their sophomore release " Riot In An Empty Street " and remains faithful to their already established sound .. which is a good thing !
It's amazing how rich a sound two acoustic guitars and two voices can produce . The mood here varies from happy ( " Boat Behind " ) to melancholic ( " Me In You " ) to zen-like ( the hypnotic " Scars On Land " ) while the band gives it's listeners lyrics that can be heartbreakingly beautiful ( " ...dreams burn but in ashes are gold " ) or playful and witty ( " we got four eyes so why yearn for one prespective ?.. " they ask , celebrating freedom of thought ) . This might not be anybody's thing . Rebelious teenagers for example would probably seek for something angrier . This doesn't change the fact though that this is top quality songwritting . People who have enjoyed current pop folk artists before , people who cherished the work of let's say , Tracy Chapman , Suzanne Vega , Feist ofcourse , Jens Lakeman , Jack Johnson and Josh Rouse , will be delighted with this piece of music so well-crafted as an antique classic violin
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