Johann Johannsson - And In The Endless Pause There Came The Sound Of Bees

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5...according to our Brian on Thu 15 Apr, 2010.

I really loved that 'Fordlandia' CD by Jóhann Jóhannsson and now 'And In The Endless Pause There Came The Sound Of Bees', his formerly self-released soundtrack, has been lovingly pressed up on wax by neo-classical label-du-jour Type. Rousing tides of orchestral beauty mingle with sombre piano interludes and discreet electronic flourishes. Jóhannsson is quite the master when it comes to creating moody, evocative music and this breathtaking album showcases him at the peak of his compositional prowess, a pinnacle i'm sure he'll not descend from any time in the near future. I love it when a musical score engages me so much I'm overcome with a desire to watch the affiliated film. So we should all chase up Marc Craste's 'Varmints' and enjoy the visual aspect this record is intended to accompany. Exceptional quality, as usual, from those premier league aesthetes at Type.....As with the majority of Type vinyl, i'd get yer skates on as it rarely hangs around for too long......

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Breathtakingly good new album from Johnann Johannson now finally available on CD.

It probably wouldn't surprise most, but the Type label was originally formed with soundtracks in mind. The moody music that usually accompanied our favourite independent films was a starting point for the label, so it seems perfect that nearly seven years on we are going back to our roots, if you like, with this latest album from Jóhann Jóhannsson.

Jóhannsson emerged on the influential Touch label with the genre-defining 'Englaborn' album in 2002, and since then he has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the most important figures in modern-classical music. With two towering records for the 4AD label, it was only a matter of time before he was asked to record a film soundtrack, and 'And In The Endless Pause There Came The Sound Of Bees' is the result.

An accompaniment to Marc Craste's animated film 'Varmints', this is a collection of achingly beautiful orchestral work balanced on a bed of Jóhannsson's patented electronics. Surprisingly however, the film itself is not intrinsic to the enjoyment of the music; Jóhannsson's score stands alone perfectly as a deeply moving collection of tracks.

The album is made up of a selection of themes which appear and disappear throughout the record; Jóhannsson manages to approach this with such subtlety you can't always even tell that a familiar theme is drifting in and out of each track. The clouds of ambience that underpin the lilt of the orchestra are crucial to the record and give a warmth reminiscent of his classic 'Englaborn' album. Within one listen you can almost visualise the film itself – or at least a home made version.

Soundtrack or not, Jóhannsson has created another peerless collection of electronic/post-classical vignettes you won't
forget.

TRACKLISTING: 1. Theme 2. City Building 3. Entering The City 4. The Flat 5. Rainwater 6. Siren Song 7. Pods 8. The Gift 9. Dying City 10. City Building (Alternate Version) 11. Escape 12. Inside The Pods 13. End Theme

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