Owen Pallett // Heartland // OUT NOW // Domino
Those unfamiliar with Owen Pallett may recognise his former guise as Final Fantasy – solo artist and string arranger for artists from Pop luminaries The Pet Shop Boys to Montreal’s Arcade Fire – Pallet’s work with the latter on their debut ‘Funeral’ bringing him much attention.With his reputation as Final Fantasy increasingly gaining him the respect of many – it’s ‘enough of that’ time and in with ‘Heartland’ his first release under his own name.
To start with, it’s hard not to like Pallett for an article I read recently telling a story where one of his compositions was used by a mobile phone company without his permission – he gives all the profits to a health charity – ah Owen! Though, either way ‘Heartland’ has got it going on.
I’m not sure what exactly what ‘it’ is though for me it has it in its uniqueness. Concepted around a story of a main character, a farmer leaving his home, it feels like a stage musical complete with incidental scene change musical interludes and string flourishes. Lyrically it is journey time for our protagonist ‘Left an unplanted field/Left my daughter and wife’ (Midnight Directives) ‘I got on the horse’ (Lewis Takes Off His Shirt). Lyrics wind over an orchestra of sounds and samples moving in rhythms to compliment the journey.
‘Heartland’ also seems to have an overall sense of glorious defiance – maybe a note to self on leaving Final Fantasy behind and moving on -’Boys running like water…They’ll never stop running’ (E Is For Estranged) and ‘Oh Heartland, Up Yours!’ – Owen – he don’t care and he’s doing what he wants.
The more I listen, the more I get my head around this accomplishment?/achievement/vision – pick one of those.
Heartland is out now on Domino Records.
8/10
By JH
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