Anneli Drecker - Revelation For Personal Use (2017) [Hi-Res]

"Breathtakingly beautiful", "magical", "epic", "magnificent" and "instantly memorable" were among the words used in reviews of her much applauded comeback album "Rocks & Straws" from 2015, her first in 10 years. Brimming with memorable melodies, subtle arrangements, evocative lyrics, strong musicianship and a vital album production, it showed a mature and confident artist moving in a somewhat surprising direction, given her background in electronic music with Bel Canto, Röyksopp and her first solo efforts. It would be no mean feat to follow up the huge artistic success of "Rocks & Straws", but to our ears "Revelation For Personal Use" is an mprovement on all accounts. It is also very much a follow-up, an ode to her native town and region, and again with all the songs being based on lyrics by local cult poet Arvid Hanssen and translated to English by artist and writer Roy-Frode Løvland. Anneli has written the album's eight lovely songs, plays piano and keyboards and has produced the album. It largely moves in the same musical landscape as the previous album, with the Arctic Philharmonic present on six tracks and string arranger Sindre Hotvedt, guitarist Eivind Aarset and drummer Rune Arnesen on board again. If anything, a couple of the tracks show a slightly sharper rock edge than its predecessor. Anneli Drecker's magical voice first became known through the music of her band, Bel Canto back in the 80s. At age 17, Anneli left her Arctic hometown of Tromsø with band members Geir Jenssen (aka Biosphere) and Nils Johansen, for the pulsating indie scene in Bruxelles. Signed to the legendary Belgian label Crammed Discs, Bel Canto captured the Zeitgeist of European electronic music in the late eighties. Their two first albums, "White Out Conditions" and "Birds Of Passage" were released internationally in most territories. They won the Norwegian Grammy award Spellemannprisen three times, and are regarded as pioneers on the Norwegian electronic pop music scene. With her characteristic singing style, often compared to other wonderful singers such as Lisa Gerrard, Kate Bush and Liz Frasier, Anneli has had the possibility to collaborate with many great artists. She participated in projects with Hector Zazou, Jah Wobble, Gavin Friday, DJ Krush, Tim Simenon, Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins, and Guy Sigsworth. Anneli has also co-operated with ECM artist Ketil Bjørnstad and recorded three albums based on poems by John Donne and Hart Crane. Few can claim that they have been singing duets with Morten Harket, but Anneli joined A-ha on two world tours as their guest singer. She also toured the world for more than 10 years singing with Röyksopp and co-writing a number of songs with them.