Comfort zones, we all have them and it’s human nature to not challenge them. A couple weeks ago I decided that instead of sending an email about a band from Norway to sit with other passed up albums in the “never looking at that again” folder, I decided to take a whack at Heyerdahl’s ØEN. No, the music isn’t in any language I couldn’t make out, but it was this indie style that’s usually not reserved for my ears.
Jon Stewart is on my TV and I’m understanding les of what he’s saying more and more. Politics, ugh. Instead of trying to get whatever that handsome man is saying, I’m looking over my notes on ØEN. From the start I got this dream sequence due to “Enkebukten” mentioning once dreaming of an island, and also “Hyena” just because the way it was laid out reminded me of a cliché movie dream scene. “Hyena” also reminded me of this guy I was into a couple months ago. He is so into bands like Heyerdahl, you know the kinds that are Pitchfork poster boys?
As ØEN played on, I was wondering if there was ever going to be a band I could compare Heyerdahl to. then as soon as “Beast” began, it hit me; Foster The People. That and “Emerald The Killer” were dead ringers for those kids with the pumped up one song. Did they ever have another? It doesn’t matter because they’ve been replaced with Heyerdahl.
With all the good pairings, there had to be a couple that stood together for their well, weirdness. “Mirage” and “Blood” just didn’t seem to fit in with the rest, but that’s okay because they’re placed right by one another so it won’t be hard to miss either.
Out of all the pairs, both good and bad, there was one song that stood strong as an individual. “Archipelago” I don’t have a clue what the title means, but the song just played like the cool kid in the back of the class; he wants to go unnoticed, but stands out for being unlike anyone else.
Heyerdahl is a name to remember if you’re into bands like The Kooks and of course Foster The People. I took a chance out of my pop rock/pop punk comfort zone and discovered a new band and song to enjoy, so maybe you can too if indie isn’t always your thing. Also, if you’re heading to SXSW this year, check them out and in the meantime get yourself indulged in some indie goodness with ØEN, out January 28th.
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