Title: Longing speaks with many tongues
Artist: miLú
Genre: Classical / Acoustic / Electronic
Release Date: 25th January 2008
Label: Premium Records
Introduction
The first appearance of miLú aka Anke Hachfeld was on the Schiller album ‘Leben’ with a title. During the course of her work with Schiller, which also included a tour in April and November, she got to know Kim Sanders and Peter Heppner (Wolfsheim).who were later appearing on the first single from the debut album ‘No Future in Gold’ called ‘Aus Gold’ which was about the death of a child in war from three different views. miLú was the grieving mother, Kim Sanders the distanced observer and Peter Heppner the soldier. A part of the proceeds from the single go to children’s homes in Afghanistan who cares for those who have become victims of the war. The debut album was released in April 2005.
Members
Anke Hachfeld
Website
http://www.milu-cat.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/milucat
Track Review
01. Tara - 3:32
From the very first tone a very mystical mood enfolds you. A beautiful piece of music that also could have been on a soundtrack. When I listen to it, scenery with a tracking shot above a vast prairie conjures up and a veil of gloominess descends upon it while the sun slowly sets. With very few means an incredibly dense mood is created here. Ankes beautiful voice processed with reverberation waves over this field to fade away in the distance. Spherical layers and a deep sustained bass as well as an organ at the end complete the overall picture and then…
02. Warm - 5:53
… a slow and very laid-back rhythm leads us right away to the next song, where a different mood prevails. Even though I’m not able to understand those universal vowel language which sounds a little bit like French to my ears it is impressing how much emotion springs over, what gets more intense as the chorus starts and beautifully arranged strings appear to accentuate the chant and those two elements create a deep feeling of longing.
03. 1000 - 3:49
The first sound that reaches your ear here is something that sounds like baby mumbling coming from a tape, while rhythmic percussion fades in. The whole song is a good example of the combination of percussive elements and a piano with electronic means and a great voice. When I listened to the song for the first time I thought “this sounds almost happy” but the appearance deceived because later on when the chant suddenly turns to English, then it seems as if Anke is hardly able to hold back her tears, the voice starts to tremble and the chant becomes fragile like thin glass on the edge of breaking down.
04. Frida - 4:23
A song that is very minimalist again. Only Anke’s voice, whose sound has changed and is now more voluminous and sometimes very deep only underlined by different gentle acoustic guitars which somehow create a very magical atmosphere and the feeling of being pushed back into medieval times.
05. Second Voice - 5:39
…sounds very relaxed and calm incorporating some jazz influences if I’m not mistaken and really beautiful clarinet parts fascinating me every time anew. All that and some more are accentuated by gentle drums but the most remarkable thing is that the timbre of the chant has changed again sounding a bit smokier and seductive.
06. Swan - 3:31
With the nostalgic clicking of a record and a short melancholic clarinet sequence, we’re welcomed to another gem on this release. This time the song is completely in English. The gentle rhythmical accentuation takes a backseat so the clarinets, the piano and first and foremost the voice can fully unfold their sound. The loneliness seems to be a perpetual companion in this song at least I feel it permanently floating through the atmosphere
“…and no one reminds me at all”
07. Windows - 2:31
…is the only instrumental on the album that comes up with some nice electronic gadgets but also makes use of some deeper piano chords and percussive elements. Just listen and discover for yourself
08. Goodbye - 4:54
This is one of the saddest songs I’ve heard in a long time. Heavy and minor organ chords open the door and I always get the feeling to be present at a funeral ceremony. The atmosphere is so full of grief and longing that it makes me incredibly sad. At the first time I listened to ‘Goodbye’ I was afraid to breathe because I feared too much noise would break that fragile atmosphere into pieces. But at the same time it is a wonderful piece of music filled with many electronic layers and a female choir underlining the mood. Also guitar sounding out of the background and when Anke raises her voice it sends shivers all over my body.
09. Orchidee - 4:39
A cold wind blows down this song like you were standing in an ice desert but there is something more waving with the cold wind that is reminding me more of an oriental influence. A pretty unusual combination but it sounds got. In addition to that, the song becomes more rhythmic, when a nice drum section appears.
10. Nacht - 3:40
…is a truly classical piece of music and one which I really love. There’s only the rotund voice of Anke and a beautifully played piano melody. If you think that’s too little then just listen for yourself and get fascinated like me. It is possible to create a big atmosphere with comparatively few means. After this wonderful ballad has ended far too soon for me, there’s also a hidden track waiting for you, but I won’t spoil everything.
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9
Conclusion
I must admit that this record captured me from the very first moment. The bandwidth of Ankes voice surprised me time after time and the way she puts emotion into the chant is stunning. It never sounds insincere or staged. Only true and honest emotions. I also like the overall calmness of the album and the different influences incorporated into the individual songs for example the medieval sounding frida or the oriental influences of ‘Orchidee’. This is definitely an album, where you should risk an ear. Mystic, atmospherical or just beautiful.
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