Final Fantasy was a lame name for the experimental rock artist Owen Pallett. Naming yourself after a video game gives the wrong impression to anyone who doesn't know Pallett's musical qualities. The growth that Pallett has shown on his third album Heartland not only articulate his quality as a musician but as a composer as well with beautifully arranged string and orchestra pieces.
According to Pallett, Heartland is based on a "young, ulta-violent farmer" named Lewis who is controlled by an all-powerful narrator named Owen. The songs are all one-sided dialogues with Lewis speaking to Owen. The lyrics reflect theological questions about the nature of fate and deep topics. But all in all, Pallett just says it's about him.
Pallett's skill as a composer is showcased beautifully through and through on Heartland. From the plucked "bass line" of cellos, basses and violins on "Keep the Dog Quiet" to the very moving string movement towards the end of "The Great Elsewhere", the influence of classical music just reeks through the music. Besides just being a classical junkie, Pallett also shows his musicianship with very fitting and mellow keyboard lines that especially fit on tracks like "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt" and "Red Sun No. 5".
The very insightful lyrics that Pallett inscribes on the musical barriers are lucid and fit with the mood of the album. "The sun sped accross the plains like the cinematic moment/Where humanity and nature collide," breaths Pallett on the more tense quiet moments on "Tryst With Mephistopheles". Pallett speaks a lot of epic randomness that floods the album. The lyrics read like a incredibly confusing short story that is based on one theme of psychology.
Pallett evokes emotion like no other baroque pop artist I've come in contact with. A feeling of triumph is felt every time I play "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt". The feeling of conquering dominance and pushing through is just emitted through that track and is corresponded with the rest of the LP.
A first listen of Heartland may not sound as gentle and flowing as a third of fourth listen. The baroque pop qualities never falter to a less suitable sound that doesn't satisfy the hunger for a very diverse style album. Who needs electric guitars and fancy drum sets when you can have full rich mellow orchestrations. The soaring lyrics that gently slide over the orchestrations of Pallett are beautiful and define a very beautiful baroque pop album.
Overall: 8.6/10.0
Track Listing:
1. Midnight Directives - 9.0
2. Keep the Dog Quiet - 9.0
3. Mount Alpentine - 8.0
4. Red Sun No. 5 - 8.5
5. Lewis Takes Action - 8.5
6. The Great Elsewhere - 8.5
7. Oh Heartland, Up Yours! - 9.5
8. Lewis Takes Off His Shirt - 9.0
9. Flare Gun - 8.0
10. E Is For Estranged - 8.5
11. Tryst With Mephistopheles - 9.0
12. What Do You Think Will Happen Now? - 8.5
Sample:
"Lewis Takes Off His Shirt (Live)"
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