The Swell Season: Strict Joy

The Swell Season
Strict Joy
ANTI- Records [2009]








Fire Note Says: The story continues...

Album Review:
The Swell Season are the Oscar-winning duo of Frames frontman Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova that jumped into stardom in the movie ONCE [2007]. The soundtrack did very well and went gold, which of course contained the Oscar winning song "Falling Slowly". Strict Joy is the much anticipated follow up and offers twelve new songs, that gives a glimpse of their real life romance, tension and eventual separation. The record does all of this while still giving room for Hansard's acoustic guitar, Irglova's piano, and their superb complimenting harmonies, but also supports a much expanded sound as they brought in Frames members Colm Mac Iomaire (violin), Joe Doyle (bass), Rob Bochnik (guitar), plus guitarist Javier Mas (Leonard Cohen), pianist Thomas Bartlett (Doveman), percussionist Chad Taylor (Chicago Underground Duo), horn players Steven Bernstein and Clark Gayton from Levon Helm's band, and others.

 This array of talented musicians gives Strict Joy an extreme depth that works in the duo's favor, while producer Peter Katis (The National, Interpol) makes sure they maintain the raw emotion that made ONCE so powerful. Strict Joy is the perfect follow up and companion to ONCE as it continues to tell the story all the way to the final track "Back Broke", which finalizes the relationship with their eventual break up. This conclusion for The Swell Season, makes the record take on a meaning that is real, intense and ultimately excellent!

Key Tracks: "Low Rising", "Back Broke", "In These Arms"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson
She & Him
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova: ONCE [OST] [Fire Note Review 6/11/07]

Official Swell Season Website
The Swell Season MySpace
The Swell Season Info [Allmusic]
ANTI- Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox