Strict Joy, by The Swell Season. 2009
Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard have followed their wonderful music from Once with another exceptional effort. It’s actually more assured, and shows greater musical variety and instrumentation, if not the appealing rawness of their first effort. They show no signs of a sophomore slump, nor any ill effects from their recent break up. Markéta, in fact, sounds far more in control of her own sweet vulnerability, and her fragile voice sounds further depths, especially on “I Have Loved you Wrong”. The ending moments of that song finds both Markéta and Glen harmonizing to soulful effect, reminiscent of African chants and Paul Simon.
The title, Strict Joy, continues their connection with literature, as it comes from a book of poem from 1931 by James Stephens. The name of their band, The Swell Season, is taken from a novel by the Czech writer, Josef Škvorecký.
Here’s one of the rowdier songs on the album, and it shows Hansard’s passionate guitar to great effect. Watching the two of them, it strikes me that few “overnight” successes have ever happened to more deserving people. I’m happy for them, and their music makes me feel more than strict joy.
Feeling the Pull
I enjoyed this. Marketa glows and the feeling enrichens as the music comes into the flow, similarly to when the violonist Julia Fischer reacted to the opening strains of Brahms Violin Concerto when I heard her perform the piece. Ms. Fischer glowed, with a different kind of glow mixed with overwhelming thrill and the calm of preparing her entrance, but it is that same effect of wonder that is so special in musical performance.
True. The Swell Season must be great to see live. They have a genuinely kind and funny rapport, and Glen, especially, is really good with the crowd. They may be two of the most likable musicians on the scene at the moment.