So, this is what an opera based upon Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species sounds like.
Allow me to preface this post by saying that, in my eyes, The Knife can do no wrong. However, if you kept up with my old blog, such a statement is hardly revelatory. “Heartbeats” is one of my favorite songs of all time, and I spend large portions of my work day listening to Silent Shout and Fever Ray (Knife principal, Karin Dreijer-Andersson’s witchy solo debut). I wonder how my co-workers might feel about that last statement?
Anyhow, lack of objectivity aside, The Knife’s “Colouring of Pigeons” is the greatest eleven minute song I’ve ever heard. I’m not sure what it’s about. I’m not even sure what’s being said. But if this is what the rest of The Knife’s forthcoming (out digitally 2/2 (physically 3/9) via Mute) Tomorrow, In A Year sounds like, it will be the first (and most likely only) opera I’ll ever own.
Listen/Download “Colouring of Pigeons” here (via Stereogum). Watch a performance clip from the opera below. Read more about Tomorrow, In A Year here. Strange yet infinitely fascinating. Just when you thought those crazy Dreijer kids couldn’t get any weirder, spookier, mystifying. They just seem to have a way of pushing you to listen to music you never even thought you would enjoy.
I’ve listened to this song approximately 14 times today. Simply outstanding. Rethinking my initial trepidation on Knife/Fever Ray
By: John on January 7, 2010
at 12:27 am
I too have listened to “Colouring of Pigeons” a number of times today. Absolutely unbelievable. You should give the Knife/Fever Ray another chance. Upon further review, that Fever Ray should have made my top 10 for 2009. It’s challenging but oddly catchy. Like most of the Dreijer’s stuff, you hear something new every time you listen…
By: onemaninasmallroom on January 7, 2010
at 1:36 am