A¿¿ropop

by Alexander von Mehren

Overview

The Norwegian arranger, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Alexander Von Mehren began recording his 2013 debut album, Aeropop, in 2005 and finished it up in 2010. The time was well spent, as the finished product is an exquisitely crafted, richly arranged modern pop gem. Taking influence from bossa nova, cocktail jazz, lounge music, and Burt Bacharach-ian complicated pop, the music is also heavily inspired by the High Llamas and their interpretation of all those elements. Indeed, large chunks of Aeropop sound like they could have been lifted from a Llamas album or a Sean O'Hagan-produced chunk of a Stereolab album. He even titles a song "Switched On." Still, it seems like a stretch to say Von Mehren is flat-out stealing from O'Hagan, though more likely they came to similar conclusions -- lots of sweeping strings, gently crooning horns, layered vocal harmonies, and Von Mehren's piano in the center of it all -- when mixing up and pouring out their influences. Plus, there is far more jazz in the mix here, in Von Mehren's piano style and especially on the seven-part suite that closes the album in relaxed and soothing style. Even if the overall impression is that Aeropop does come pretty close to the Llamas sound, there's enough artful arranging, subtle performance, and melodic invention going on to make it a worthwhile listening experience regardless. It's music tailor-made for easy listening, created by a musician with full control over his craft and imbued with a tender grace that makes the album simple to appreciate. There's certainly room for another musician who can do that as well as Von Mehren does on Aeropop. ~ Tim Sendra

Product Details

Release Date:	08/20/2013
Label:	The Control Group
UPC:	0650384029519
Rank:	168505

Tracks

1. La Chanson de Douche
2. Teria
3. Le D¿¿tective Ing¿¿nieux
4. Aller-Retour
5. Natural Selection
6. Switched On
7. Winter Comes
8. Insouciance
9. Champs-¿¿lys¿¿es
10. La Variation de Douche
11. Neuschwanstein
12. Bahnhof
13. Chalet D¿¿¿alpage
14. A¿¿rosuite, Pt. A
15. A¿¿rosuite, Pt. B
16. A¿¿rosuite, Pt. C
17. A¿¿rosuite, Pt. D
18. A¿¿rosuite, Pt. E
19. A¿¿rosuite, Pt. F
20. A¿¿rosuite, Pt. G

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Alexander von Mehren   Primary Artist,Bass,Drums,Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion,Vibraphone,Fender Rhodes,Piano (Upright),Guitar (Electric)
Sigurd Fischer Olsen   Violin,Viola
Pete Aves   Vocals
William Hut   Vocals
John McEntire   Shaker
Erik Johan Bringsvor   Guitar (Electric)
Jerome Didelot   Vocals,Guitar (Electric)
Nathalie Nordnes   Vocals
Mari Kvien Brunvoll   Vocals
Mariana Badaracco   Vocals
Marius Solevagseide   Trumpet
Lise Kristin Kvenseth   Vocals
Silje Haustveit   Trumpet
Erlend Hausken   Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
Tor Erik Seime Pettersen   Baritone,Trombone,Euphonium
Ina Wale   Flute
Fredrik Dronen   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Erlend Alm Lerstad   Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Eline Rodvelt Hansen   Viola,Violin
Siri Eimhjellen Oie   Viola,Violin
Andy Nice   Cello
Mathias Eick   Trumpet

Technical Credits

John McEntire   Mixing
Alexander von Mehren   Mixing,Arranger,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Steve Rooke   Mastering
Anti   Design
Grandpeople   Design