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This review has moved, find it on the new Music Vice Magazine site here:
www.musicvice.com/reviews/albums/taken-by-trees-east-of-eden
Album Review: Taken By Trees - East Of Eden
Review by Music Vice editor Brian Banks - November 24, 2009
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Taken By Trees is a solo project by Sweden's Victoria Bergsman, the former lead singer of the Concretes, but it's more likely you know her best as the girl in Peter Bjorn and John's whistling-heavy song "Young Folks", one of 2006's biggest hits.
As a Westerner it would be easy for me to describe this album using the word 'zen' to serve as a pointer towards the meditative aura of this record, but this album has its roots and influences drawn from Islamim not Buddism. Taken By Trees headed East to Pakistan for inspiration for this record and the results are stunning, with a kaleidoscope of sounds being provided by Sufi musicians. Sitar, drums and flutes are among the instruments featured.
One of the most beautiful tracks on this album is "Anna", which features some mesmerizing singing from Bergsman. Meanwhile the final track "Bekannelse" is a tranquil send-off. Bergman's vocal is as sultry as it is organic, and the occasional flaw in her voice or subtle nuances only add to the innate charm of it all.
This album is the very definition of easy listening. One of the finest records of 2009.
© Brian Banks
