Falling slowly (The Swell Season) (LP 4584)

The Swell Season  The Swell Season (CD, Overcoat Records, 2006) ****  

The Swell Season  Strict Joy (CD, Anti- Records, 2009) ****  

Genre: Folk rock

Places I remember: JB Hi Fi, FOPP

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Falling Slowly (The Swell Season)

Gear costume: Low Rising (Strict Joy)  

They loom large in his legend (The Album Collection playlists): Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5; Part 6; Part 7

Active compensatory factors: The Swell Season is the combined group name for Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, You'll probably know them from the film Once which was a huge artistic success. That film came after the debut album from the duo in 2007.

I've also mentioned Glen Hansard's work in the blog previously when he was with The Frames, and his solo albums.

The debut album is a tad tentative with a lot of slowish songs with Falling Slowly being the stand-out song alongside When Your Minds Made Up.

Of the two albums I prefer Strict Joy. The album's songs reflect the breakup of Hansard and Irglová's relationship, while remaining in the same band, Fleetwood Mac style (as on Rumours). Ironically, given the personal relationship situation, it has a warmer sound with a fuller band and some lovely pace changes.  

Where do they all belong? The Once soundtrack is still the best introduction to the pair for my money. They did produce a third album, last year's Forward which I'll need to find at some point.