Reviews and press for Heligoland's “Along the snowline” 7” single, released in May 2002 by Steady Cam Records.
| Publication | Country/City | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ozmusicproject | Sydney | 2/12/02 |
| Delusions of Adequacy | USA | 24/3/03 |
| Action Attack Helicopter | USA | 26/10/02 |
| Luna Kafé | Norway | 21/10/02 |
| Splendid e-Zine | USA | 12/10/02 |
| Godsend Online | USA | |
| Inpress | Melbourne | 28/2/02 |
Heligoland
Along The Snowline/Herringbone
Steady Cam
Thank god for Heligoland. In a world where it seems sometimes the noisier, the heavier and the more richly produced song is better, Victorians Heligoland offer something a little quieter and atmospheric with their single 'Along The Snowline'.
This song takes me places - like a warm candlelit bath on a cool, rainy day; or perhaps even a dark forest by the lake at night. The a-side is a gorgeous journey into the melancholic - a mix of precious harmonies, soft, dreamy guitar and swirling, emotive melodies. Singer and guitarist Karen Vogt's vocals are reminiscent at times of PJ Harvey and at others of Portishead's Beth Gibbons in the way it lilts, quivers and reaches blissful heights.
The flipside, 'Herringbone' is a shimmering balad in the same vein, making use of Vogt's wide vocal range. The song reaches a gorgeous crescendo midway through, as her rich vocals weave in with a forlorn violin solo and ethereal backing vocals. It only takes one sitting to enjoy this release, but you'll play it over and over again. This single is a taste of musical beauty not to be missed.
Meeshell
Formed in 1999, Melbourne's Heligoland has been releasing a healthy number of 7"s and EPs. The two songs here, "Along the Snowline" and "Herringbone," are built around Karen Vogt's emotive vocals with brushed drums and skeleton guitar lines mostly staying out of the way.
"Herringbone," with its slightly soulful vocals and e-bowed guitar is the more interesting of the two as "Along the Snowline" fails to really ever get off the ground. Everything moves a bit too slow, feels a bit too labored. The songs drift along without any kind of underlying heat to their cold atmospheres and they never really establish any kind of connection. Without one, the music can't carry you along the way it needs to in order to be effective.
There's no real sense that the songs are going anywhere, and as a result they end up coming across as almost too atmospheric for their own good.
- Jon, 24/3/03
Heligoland
"Along The Snowline b/w "Herringbone" [seven inch]
Steady Cam Records
Heligoland should really take all these songs from their singles and put together a full album on CD, seeing as to how much I hate vinyl. It's a shame too, because these songs are THAT good, and more people have CD players than record players. Until then, I suppose we'll have to settle.
"Along The Snowline" starts out the record with Karen Vogt's delicate vocals working along with the gentle taps of the brushes on the drums and wintry guitar tones of sparse emptiness. "Herringbone" is the B-side and continues Heligoland's aural assault of gentleness and spacey, sparse tones. This song seems more deliberate and planned out, slowly making its way to a climax that can only be depressing. Simple, yet appropriate artwork completes this seven inch.
As much as I dislike vinyl, I'll be keeping this one and putting it on the record player during the cold, winter weekend afternoons that are on their way.
Kurt Morris
Heligoland
Separate 7"
Along the Snowline 7"
Steady Cam Records
A new acquaintance from down under, Heligoland is like a relic from the heydays of 4AD in the eighties. Atmospheric pop music with lots of reverb and echo, but leaning more to the sober composing of a Burt Bacharach or a Harry Nilsson, no trace of the psychedelic or folksy strains usually running through music like this. Almost hard to describe, no hooks to hang any comments on, it's just pretty and ethereal. Strong songs, beautiful vocals by Karen Vogt and very sparse and stripped down arrangements by the rest of the band consisting of Cameron Gellatly (guitar), Steve Wheeler (bass) and Chris Wright (drums).
The first of these two singles, "Separate" b/w "Cabo de gata", were released in December 2001 and is a celebration of the summer, which is hard for us here on the other side of the balloon to understand since we are now heading straight for snowtime. The second single, "Along the Snowline" b/w "Herringbone", are the companion part for wintertime. Both are prime examples of pure pop, not at all the powerful pop we are used to expect from that part of the world. If I should choose just one song from the two singles it must be "Herringbone" from the newest single; it holds much promise for the LP they are working on.
A popular name Heligoland, in addition to this Melbourne based band you can find another one in England, and in Germany we find the fine experimentalists Helgoland which we here at Luna Kafé have talked about before.
Killer
Heligoland
Along the Snowline/Herringbone
Steady Cam
In the last two years, Heligoland have created a strong buzz among lovers of elegant and introspective pop, and this wintery limited-edition seven-inch will only add to their appeal. As on previous releases, vocalist/guitarist Karen Vogt is the group's secret weapon, turning out a mature and nuanced performance that doesn't pander to the listener's expectations.
In the frosty, mysterious "Along the Snowline", Vogt delivers her lines in a layered flurry of hypnotically mournful harmony. You'll detect a superficial resemblance to Lilith-style floaty-gauzy-ethereal pop, but Vogt is no unruffled princess; as the music builds in intensity, she responds by pushing her delivery harder, as if to say "These aren't just words -- this is real." She also capitalizes on her impressive range, shifting nimbly between sweet highs and melancholy lows to the point where her increasingly complex vocal track sounds like the work of several different singers. It's entrancing.
"Herringbone", slower and less decorative than "Snowline", accents the deep, throaty side of Vogt's performance; if you like Low best when Mimi sings, this is your kind of music. There's something quite hypnotic about the drums' methodical plod, suggesting the teary unreality of a snowy day spent at home following a loved one's funeral. You'll feel the emotion in Vogt's voice, but don't be surprised if the song leaves you too drained to truly react. -- George Zahora
Heligoland - "Along The Snowline" 7" - A gently melodic and sweet limited (300-copies) 2-song single from Melbourne act HELIGOLAND should find favor with fans of stuff like LOW or L'ALTRA, with Karen Vogt's emotive and layered vocals leading the charge. The band's sparse approach is also similar, based on softly minimal and atmospheric guitars and moody, introspective vibes. Fine work and quite worth hunting down if the aforementioned float your boat. (Steady Cam)
Heligoland
Along the Snowline/Herringbone
Steady Cam Records
A sweet sounding seven inch from local guitar caressers Heligoland, the music on this recording sounds warm and wonderful on vinyl despite its wintry introspection. Both pieces unravel gradually, their sparse arrangements allowing organic evolution rather than preformatted pop precision. Karen Vogt's weightless vocal style suits the mood of the songs perfectly.
Martin Jones.