アイスランドから奇跡の歌声を持つ21歳の天才シンガーソングライター、Asgeir(アウスゲイル)が世界デビュー!2012年9月にリリースしたアイスランド・デビュー・アルバム『Dyrd i daudathogn』たった1枚で、20歳という若さで一晩にして一躍国内音楽界のスターに上り詰めたアウスゲイル。アイスランド史上最速で売れた国内アーティストによるデビュー・アルバムとなった他、アイスランドのグラミー賞、アイスランド音楽賞主要2部門(「最優秀アルバム賞」、「新人賞」)を含む全4部門受賞など数々の国内記録を更新。現在ではアイスランドの全人口の「10人に1人が彼のアルバムを所有している」という程、ビッグ・セールスとなっている。本作はそのデビュー作を英語詞で歌った世界デビュー・アルバム(※英詞は米SSWジョン・グラントが担当)!同郷シガー・ロスの壮大なスケール感、ボン・イヴェールの美しいヴォーカル・ハーモニー、トム・ヨークのエレクトロニクス、マムフォード&サンズの高揚感が1枚に詰まった、弱冠21歳の天才シンガーソングライターによる2013年最大級のデビュー・アルバム!
発売・販売元 提供資料(2013/11/07)
Mojo - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Asgeir's voice is the first thing that grabs you, particularly in its Bon Iver-like flights of falsetto."
Rovi
There has rarely been a shortage of musical talent emerging from Iceland, an island that is cast away in the northern echelons of the Atlantic Ocean, but which is rich in cultural and artistic talents, with the likes of Bjork and Sigur Ros dominating their respective genres across the world. Icelandic tastemakers have also hoisted Asgeir Trausti's debut album to the number one spot in the charts, a record which additionally scooped top accolades in the 2012 Icelandic Music Awards. Originally released as Dyrdh i Daudhathogn in his homeland, Asgeir enlisted the help of John Grant to translate the record into English for this international release, and renamed it In the Silence. The melodic indie folk that Asgeir incorporates here is poised intriguingly between acoustic instruments and electronic elements, and single the "King and Cross" expertly brings the two together in a charming slice of indie pop. The decision to translate the lyrics was wise and subsequently offers a more wide-spread accessibility to his songs that might not have been possible in his native tongue. Asgeir and Grant have woven together whimsical tales and stories from the original Icelandic text without many obvious adjustments from the original melodies. Although upbeat for the most part -- "Torrent" and "In Harmony" are particular highlights -- there is a constant hint of melancholy that resides in the beauty of Asgeir's high-pitched and unnervingly emotive vocals, which is brought out in the more brooding moments of the record. The downbeat and bass-driven "Going Home" uncovers an expansive and pensive side of Asgeir, which is a welcome contrast to the initial sweetness, and at times tweeness, of his melodies and harmonies. Although it's unlikely In the Silence will have quite the same impact on the charts beyond the shores of Iceland, it does suggest another musical gem has been unearthed from the island's formidable pool of talent. ~ Scott Kerr|
Rovi
There has rarely been a shortage of musical talent emerging from Iceland, an island that is cast away in the northern echelons of the Atlantic Ocean, but which is rich in cultural and artistic talents, with the likes of Bjork and Sigur Ros dominating their respective genres across the world. Icelandic tastemakers have also hoisted Asgeir Trausti's debut album to the number one spot in the charts, a record which additionally scooped top accolades in the 2012 Icelandic Music Awards. Originally released as Dyrdh i Daudhathogn in his homeland, Asgeir enlisted the help of John Grant to translate the record into English for this international release, and renamed it In the Silence. The melodic indie folk that Asgeir incorporates here is poised intriguingly between acoustic instruments and electronic elements, and single the "King and Cross" expertly brings the two together in a charming slice of indie pop. The decision to translate the lyrics was wise and subsequently offers a more wide-spread accessibility to his songs that might not have been possible in his native tongue. Asgeir and Grant have woven together whimsical tales and stories from the original Icelandic text without many obvious adjustments from the original melodies. Although upbeat for the most part -- "Torrent" and "In Harmony" are particular highlights -- there is a constant hint of melancholy that resides in the beauty of Asgeir's high-pitched and unnervingly emotive vocals, which is brought out in the more brooding moments of the record. The downbeat and bass-driven "Going Home" uncovers an expansive and pensive side of Asgeir, which is a welcome contrast to the initial sweetness, and at times tweeness, of his melodies and harmonies. Although it's unlikely In the Silence will have quite the same impact on the charts beyond the shores of Iceland, it does suggest another musical gem has been unearthed from the island's formidable pool of talent. ~ Scott Kerr
Rovi
アイスランドの小さな村に住む若きアーティストが世界デビューを飾った。2012年にリリースされ、〈その年のもっともヒットした作品〉として本国を熱狂の渦に巻き込んだファースト・アルバムの英語ヴァージョンとなる本作。アコースティックとエレクトロニクス(本人はエイフェックス・ツイン好き)を有機的に融合させた、繊細かつ壮大なサウンドスケープ、そしてボン・イヴェールを想起させる美麗なファルセットによって、アイスランド産らしい透徹した音風景が鮮烈に描かれている。73歳になる実父が書いたリリック(英語への翻訳はシンガー・ソングライターのジョン・グラントが担当)も相まって、老成した佇まいと瑞々しさが同居した不思議なその存在感に、多くの人が心惹かれることだろう。
bounce (C)佐藤一道
タワーレコード(vol.363(2014年1月25日発行号)掲載)