Oh No Ono
Eggs
The Leaf Label / Playground

The Aalborg, Denmark quintet Oh No Ono were formed in 2003 and put out their debut album, Yes (Morningside Records), some three and a half years ago, in 2006. Their second album, Eggs, was originally released in Denmark last April, but is now re-released by the eclectic and most enjoyable Leaf Label (home to their countrymen Efterklang, the Norwegian Hanne Hukkelberg, as well as Four Tet, A Hawk and a Hacksaw, Polar Bear, Bill Wells, Boom Bip & Doseone, Caribou, Clue to Kalo, Icy Demons, Colleen, to name some of the released artists on the rooster). Art music, experimental music, electronic music, and more.

Hailed by loads of papers and magazines worldwide, it seems 2010 will be Oh No Ono's big break-through year. They even visited Oslo, Norway's by:Larm (gathering of hundreds of bands during a 3-day mini music biz 'venue festival') this February, for then to cross the Atlantic for the massive music feast SXSW in Austin, TX. Opener "Eleanor Speaks" (which can also be found remixed by Caribou) hints slightly at the Beatles, both by its title and by the (Eastern influenced) psychedelic pop inside. Don't get me wrong, they don't sound like the Beatles. They're into modern pop psychedelia, shimmering with magic and mystery. Whimsical, playful and utterly catchy. At other times they play full-on drama, with heavy-draped melodies to the max. The players -- Aske Zidore (guitar, vocals), Malthe Fischer (vocals, guitar), Nis Svoldgaard (bass, vocals), Nicolai Koch (keyboards), and Kristoffer Rom (drums) -- really do present some neat egg-dishes with their Eggs. The songs are poached, fried, soft-boiled, hard-boiled, scrambled, or served with the sunny side up. Here are eggs Benedict and eggs Florentine. Even full omelettes are on their menu.

"Swim" is an elegant, majestic song, and I even sense some latter years Blonde Redhead vibes here. They've been musically compared to the likes of MGMT, Flaming Lips, Caribou, the aforementioned Beatles (George Harrison's songs), Sparks and Kate Bush. Quite a mix. "Icicles" is one of the more maximalist, progressive songs. "The Wave Ballet" is another 'ear-catcher'. The music of Oh No Ono is somewhat adventurous and fairytale-like. Quite fitting nowadays, with Where the Wild Things Are and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on the big screen everywhere. Here's even a song called "The Tea Party". And many of the songs do sound like big, friendly monster animals dancing, playing, and running around. The epic "Beelitz" close the record, clocking in at 7 and a half minute. A great journey (with a short, weird hidden track - backwards mumble-jumble).

I guess Eggs will end up very high on 'top 10'-lists at the end of the year. It might even aim for a position on my very own favourite top-shelf.

Copyright © 2010 Håvard Oppøyen