Sonicbond [Release date 10.11.17]
The second album from Norwegian art rock band When Mary – Trude Eidtang (vocals, synth, percussion, glockenspiel), Christian Paulsen (guitars, programming, synth, bass) and Vidar Uthaug (synth, organ, korg, Rhodes) is a rather enchanting affair.
That is if, like me, you have guilty soft spot for the likes of Enigma’s brand of pop/rock circa MCMXC A.D., combining Gregorian-chant like vocals and symphonic instrumentation.
Following their 2013 debut 7summers7winters, When Mary mix art-pop and trip hop with the vocal elements of symphonic rock, Trude Eidtang (White Willow) finding her inspiration in the eighties and nineties with artists like Sade, Peter Gabriel, Eurythmics and Kate Bush.
Several of the intros/interludes would be well placed in an Enigma release – heavenly, angelic, choral lines, chiming abbey bells, swelling Phantom Of the Opera church organs, and dramatic operatic arias.
But at its heart – Eidtang’s sumptuous symphonic vocals aside, Tainted marries the pop sensibilities of Duran Duran, with the dirty synths sound of Soft Cell, and with chunky distorted guitar riffs beefing out the overall sound.
And as such, it comes down to how good a ‘pop’ song the band have managed to come up with, and in that respect Tainted consistently hits the outer ring with frequent bullseyes. Ambient art pop par excellence. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 24 March 2025
HARRI LARKIN Too Close To The Sun (Robot Distro)
SANDNESS Not Your Dog (Rockshots Records)
DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 24 March 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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