I am you we are – The Masquerade
[Unsigned]
genre: Experimental, dark, dark pop
Ep Review by Goresonic
“I am you we are” is a new Swedish band and Masquerade is their first well promise ep. Their sound is close to dark music but it’s not exactly darkwave, it’s close to pop but not pop-driven, and of course it’s close to ethnic and world music. I believe that generally the word “experimental” is what really describes it as a music genre. This EP is especially “strange” and I believe that deserves something more than a try. This is not a “normal” band, as they introduce to their music non usual instruments, like the flute, the accordion and the traditional djembe.
The “first song “Love song for the mob” sounds really oriental. The flute that introduces the song surprised me well, as I never really listened to its sound before, but in this song it is the main musical instrument and the composition basis. This introduction was transferring us in a whole different world and time, somewhere in a palace in the Middle East. Then, the contrast between the soft and sweet woman’s vocals and the dark man’s ones impressed me. These vocals were excellent in the whole ep and I really want to congratulate Phoenix Slättner and Anahita Apifera for their talent.
In “Vein” the flute is replaced by the piano which is very well played. In “Killing Time” I noticed the guitar as well which was hidden in the previous songs.
“Elements” was a man piano duo with the flute and some women’s noises in the background.
In the end it is the self titled song where the accordion is used as well. What I really enjoyed in this song, which is my favourite, was the way that was transformed from a soft ballade to an intensive song and then to a fete song. It sounds like saying to us goodbye in a more happy “and see you next time” way. I’ll close this article saying that “I am you we are” deserve at least a record label for the distribution of this ep.
links
http://www.myspace.com/iamyouweareband
iamyouweare.wordpress.com
tracks
1. Love song for the mob
2. Veil
3. Killing Time
4. Elements
5. The Masquerade
Goresonic
This release is actually a Gizeh 2008 release only for Britain. This year Denovali records and Cargo records try to spread it around the whole world and there are new CD and LP versions of the EP/Album. Her Name Is Calla is one of the darkest British bands at this period of time. Their post-rock is experimental and their atmosphere is darkest than a gloomy midnight sky. Their music is the most alternative version of ‘My Bloody Valentine’ and ‘Nick Cave’. This album needs a lot of rain to be understood. Leeds, Leicester and York unfortunately have a lot of rain and the result is this dark, sleepy, gloomy, sad and woebegone release. There is common ground between HNIC and bands like ‘a place to bury strangers’ and ‘iLiKETRAiNS’. This kind of new age dark rock is sadder than ever before. Their cries are soul-destroying. Don’t close your eyes, it is dangerous, you’ll loose your mind, you‘ll reach the wild nails of depression. Experiments and the use of instruments like Cello, Viola and Violins make it deeper and darker with a deep black mood. Post-rock used to be atmospheric but this new blood of UK experimental post-rock bands, produce a kind of dark and doomy post-rock like no one before. They are an interesting group which tries to get out the underground style they had. They had the tracks but they need your love. 
A dark and cloudy release, a relaxing sound, an ambient music picture, all these together can result this album. The use of German language in the lyrics makes it darker to me and gives to it a folk and traditional dimension. Christoph Ziegler who is the guy behind this project, proves that his inspiration is abyssal or something like bottomless. 
