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Ane Brun
A Temporary Dive
(V2)
First Appeared in The Music Box, May 2006, Volume 13, #5
Written by Tracy M. Rogers
Swedish singer-songwriter Ane Brun’s 2004 release A Temporary Dive
finally has been issued stateside, courtesy of the Virgin off-shoot V2 — and it
comes not a moment too soon. In spite of its minimalist production, the album is
imbued with a melancholic ambience that is worthy of Neko Case. Brun’s voice is
equally enchanting: an angelic, almost childlike soprano that possesses both
Joan Baez’s quaver and Joni Mitchell’s lilt. Add to this confessional lyrics and
guest appearances by indie singer-songwriters Ron Sexsmith and Syd Matters, and
the resulting record is both mystifying and irresistible.
A Temporary Dive’s opening cut To Let Myself Go is an enigmatic,
bare-bones, folk-pop lament that enhances its introspection with haunting
backing vocals, while The Fight Song features a frenzied slide guitar
bridge in the midst of its ominous, inscrutable lyrics. Elsewhere, the
country-folk Balloon Ranger is reminiscent of a solitary, late-night
drive down a deserted, southern highway; the title track manages to be both
mournful and hopeful, philosophical and accessible; and with a jaunty rhythm
that belies its lyrics of depression and loneliness, Little Lights (Brun’s
duet with Syd Matters) concludes the effort on a high note. At first glance, the
moseying rhythm and full-band production of Song No. 6 should seem at
odds with the rest of the album, but beneath the spark and spirit of the tune,
lurk the same ambient shadings that pervade the entirety of the affair. Of the
outing’s 11 tracks, only the overly simplistic Where Friends Rhymes with End
is less than stellar, meaning A Temporary Dive is essential listening for
fans of meditative, atmospheric euphony.  ½
A Temporary Dive is available from Amazon.com.
To order, Click Here!
For Canadian orders, please
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For UK orders, please
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Ratings
1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!
Copyright © 2006
The Music Box
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