Heartland

[Owen from Final Fantasy]

Also, regarding Qs like "what Nico did and didn't do", well, Nico was in Iceland with us when Jeremy, Mio and I recorded the beds, and his commentary and influence are undeniably felt. And as a confidant and a friend, his help on this record was of major significance. But in fact his actual contribution was (regrettably) limited to the backwards piano off the top of The Great Elsewhere.

I posted the album credits on the Heartland Sticky if anyone had any other questions about the album's construction.

[Owen from Final Fantasy]

Might I add that the backwards piano sounds is my Favourite Part, thank you Nico.

[nocturn]

The Great Elsewhere being my favourite song just from the live recordings, I have to admit, I was completely taken aback when I first heard it's intro on the album. First listen, I didn't like it at all.

Second, third and fourth listen, and no amount of over-exaggeration can describe how awesome it is. Great work, Owen and Nico

[vestenet]

Owen, my expectations for this album were so unfairly high that no artist could or should have been expected to meet them. I was sure I'd like it, but I was anticipating that there would be some unavoidable disappointment simply due to the limitations of mortal achievement. But, holy shit, there is nary a trace of disappointment in my reaction to this album, and, if anything, I am loving it more with each listen; I thought it impossible, but it is surpassing my expectations.

It is still too early into listening for me to lavish you with anything but superlatives, but Heartland is just wonderful. Thank you and congratulations and I cannot wait for my CD to get here so I can blast it through my stereo.

[Alyssa!]

Oh, Jeremy Gara did do the drumming. That must be why Tryst sounds so Neon-Bible-y in parts.

Finally got those D batteries, I am prepared to shoot to heaven.

What was the process of preparing the piano like? Was it as Cage-y as it sounds?

[An Amateur]

So I started avoiding this thread as soon as everyone began discussing the lyrics, as I didn't want to read them until after I heard the album. Now that it's been leaked, I'm not sure what to do. This is yet another shock I'm not sure how I feel about. Alas, I think I'm going to wait at least until I have better headphones, as mine are far too quiet, even at full volume (anyone know how to fix this?).

[cmj]

Tryst With Mephistopheles takes me to another world. It's like I'm actually there in Heartland watching it happen.

[sarpedon]

Dec 22, 2009 20:19:00 GMT -5 An Amateur said:

So I started avoiding this thread as soon as everyone began discussing the lyrics, as I didn't want to read them until after I heard the album. Now that it's been leaked, I'm not sure what to do. This is yet another shock I'm not sure how I feel about. Alas, I think I'm going to wait at least until I have better headphones, as mine are far too quiet, even at full volume (anyone know how to fix this?).

If they are fully plugged in (a common, simple problem causing this), it sounds like there may be a bad connection, or a problem with the jack itself; unless you wanna mess with wires, it would probably be cheapest just to get a new pair.

[Richie]

Owen, thanks so much for posting the notes.

And thanks even more for just putting up with our questions and compliments. Hope this accident didn't cause any significant financial hits.

[Ren]

God, Owen, this thing is amazing. Worth every second of the years we waited. Is perfect and imperfect in all the right places. Kinda hurts a little, but in that good way. Thanks.

[Alyssa!]

Dec 22, 2009 21:42:25 GMT -5 Richie said:

Owen, thanks so much for posting the notes.

And thanks even more for just putting up with our questions and compliments. Hope this accident didn't cause any significant financial hits.

The faithful, at least, will preorder.

[clare]

I was expecting that the actuall Bulgarian men's choir would sing for the ending part of "E Is For Estranged" like Owen's live act.
Anyway, I love the entire album. It is amazing.
I can't wait for the physical HEARTLAND!!

[cmj]

Dec 23, 2009 4:56:52 GMT -5 clare said:

I was expecting that the actuall Bulgarian men's choir would sing for the ending part of "E Is For Estranged" like Owen's live act.

I know. I miss the live ending of E is for Estranged
But considering that's pretty much my only grumble with the entire album, that's pretty good going. I literally couldn't wait to get up this morning to listen to it again.

[ragamuffin]

I listened way too much to those BAM recordings, so I find Midnight Directives so strange. It seemed very related to Tryst With Mephistopheles, and I thought they would come after one another on the album as well, and be related to one another. I still favor that BAM recording, but I'll probably grow used to this version as well :3

[jules]

It’s hard for me to have a realistic perspective of a new Final Fantasy Owen Pallett recording, because I’m fatally biased and will consume the feast like a starved man.

So what if I think Heartland is gloriously rich in textures that pop out at you from a different angle each time you play a track. It’s irrelevant, because my musical soul was stolen on 6th May 2005 when a young man in a white shirt and tie stepped onto a stage in Birmingham and shouted into his violin.

So Heartland...I’m still getting my full bearings on you... it feels like being in a room full of jack-in-a-boxes that I know will spring but I’m never certain of the exact order. The depth and little nuances of the music make it a totally different experience to the live show, so although it’s familiar from first play I get drawn into the corners of the sound with each flourish or swirl that occurs. But then next time my focus is drawn to another layer.

Admission time... I was lucky to hear parts of the album in the summer so I knew what was coming, but it’s not until you stick on those headphones and close your eyes that you feel the full power of the orchestration and just how much care and attention to detail has been put into. So although I knew, I was ignorant at the same time.

So how do I really know that this is music of quality and distinction? Well in the end that was easy. I was doing our Christmas wrapping the other day with my better half and happened to be playing Heartland in the background, rather than the traditional Christmas songs we normally play. Mid way through this annual marathon (It seems to get longer each year), Mrs Else says “That’s Owen isn’t it?” (We stopped using the F word in the house ages ago). So I’m thinking [she’s going to say it’s rubbish and can we put Christmas music on instead], because although she probably doesn’t really mine Owen’s music, she thinks I’m an obsessive playing it all the time and not to mention the gigging (okay she’s right)..anyway where was I..oh yes..wrapping presents..anyway I say “Yes, it’s the new album” and she replies “you know it’s not bad actually” and we continued wrapping presents and 4 hours later Heartland is still playing in the background. So it must be good, really good, really really good.

One passing thought is that when Midnight Directives starts, my mind immediately paints a scene like the opening of an epic film. The ones that sweep across the landscape to focus in on the main character.

Thank you Owen, it's a good'un