"Strict Joy" by The Swell Season

I'm a fan of indie movies (I know, try to contain your shock as I continue my most recent post on my blog that features a lot of indie music). One of my very favorites is "Once," starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. It's incredibly low-budget-feeling, even by indie movie standards, but it's honest and it's raw. I also like it because, a) Irish accents are cool and (b) the soundtrack is one of the best movie soundtracks I've ever heard.

This album by The Swell Season (which, on this album, is essentially just Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova with instrumental accompaniment) is a perfect album for those who were entranced by songs like "Lies" and "Falling Slowly" (I once sang a cover of "Falling Slowly" with two friends of mine for a Benefit Concert and I'm relatively sure it's partially responsible for my current girlfriend noticing me haha).

The delicacy is there, as are the raw and poignant vocals by Hansard and Irglova. As usual, their vocal harmonies are spot on, making each song an exercise in tranquility.

Hansard and Irglova broke up around the time of this album, however, and the lyrics reflect a sort of sad longing, a sort of wistful reminiscence and a "hope against logic" feel. The result is a set of songs that cuts right into your heart. You feel their pain, you feel their longing, and you feel their lingering hope.

"Strict Joy" is itself a perfect title for the album. That's what the album could be, almost as if Hansard and Irglova are filled with joy at creating such beautiful music, but it has to be restrained as a result of their complicated personal relationship.

Still, for anyone looking for absolutely beautiful songs, you don't need to look any further. "Strict Joy" is the album for you.

My three favorite songs are "Low Rising," "In These Arms," and "I Have Loved You Wrong."

Until next time, enjoy all the music out there, like the blog's Facebook page, and please recommend the page to your friends because I'd love to get some more regular readers :)

Andrew