Multinational duo SE DELAN is a recent addition to the rock universe, consisting of Justin Greaves (instruments) and Belinda Kordic (vocals). “The Fall” is their debut album, and was released through prestigious UK label Kscope in the early spring of 2014.
While this album doesn’t really explore any new grounds as far as I’m concerned, I can tell that this is a production that will be described in oh so many different manners, and those reviewers who got this one with a press release describing the contents will most likely read it fairly thoroughly when trying to assemble their impressions into words here. Because this music is difficult to describe in an accurate manner, and at least with the musical knowledge I have it’s not exactly an easy case to place this album within a specific context either.
I kind of presume there are at least some similarities to Greaves main band Crippled Black Phoenix here, a band I have yet to explore in depth, but I have a vague feeling that the songs I have encountered by them have some similar features to the material at hand here. Fans of that band will be very much aware of this side project already though I presume, so any further comparisons in that direction is probably not all that useful even if I could make them.
There are, generally speaking, two different types of songs on this album. Both of them share some central characteristics, the distanced, somewhat husky vocals of Kordic that may or may not be used to convey chant-like, ghostly nonverbal vocal effects besides providing the lyrics is a core part of the proceedings. Dark, booming and tension-creating drum patterns with a suitable supplementing bass guitar another detail that is if not ever-present then at least frequently recurring. Many of the songs revolve around the rhythm section to drive the song, with vocals and some instrument details used as contrast. While an electric or acoustic rhythm guitar may further supplement the rhythm foundation, the guitars main role on this album is ro provide careful details. Reverberating guitar licks, longing guitar details, mystical dampened solo runs and similar features that adds a warm, delicate and melancholic sheen to the proceedings. With keyboards in more of a supporting role. Harder edged compact riffs are given some runs here too, and then often with an organ added in to the proceedings at some point.
It’s about here that I’ll clarify what I meant about this album basically revolving around two different kinds of songs. On one hand we have songs that utilize textured effects to some point, often towards the end of the songs, to build up nervous, majestic sound walls post rock style. On the other hand we have songs that utilize what I might describe as compact riffs and guitar details that reminds me of both blues, country and psychedelic rock to some extent, mostly with a dark mood and atmosphere, and for this latter part of Se Delan’s repertoire I’ll make a direct comparison too: Towards Norwegian band Madrugada in general and their debut album “Industrial Silence” in particular. Instruments and atmosphere wise only I’ll hastily add, as the lead vocals that are oh so central in both of these bands are vastly different in style, approach and overall nature.
Se Delan’s debut album “The Fall” is an intriguing creation of material from the darker side of rock as far as mood and atmosphere is concerned, but not in any dramatic manner. The harder edged guitars are carefully used, the post rock style textured guitars are dramatic but not overly so when utilized, and the overall impression is that the songs are frail and careful more than impact heavy as such, although a solid rhythm foundation is a characteristic trait here. A touch of psychedelic rock, ghostly effects, arguably some Americana and a touch of post rock here and there, all thrown into a blender and colored with different shades of darkness. A haunting creation, and for previously stated reasons an album I’d recommend to fans of Norwegian band Madrugada as well as to those generally fond of carefully crafted sophisticated rock of the dark and haunting variety.
My rating: 88/100
