Song of the Moment: Bel Canto, “Unicorn”

“Unicorn” is the lead track on this Norwegian group’s 1992 release, Shimmering, Warm, & Bright. Atmospheric. Textured. Haunting. Whichever adjectives you normally apply to the Cocteau Twins generally will apply to Bel Canto as well.

Arpeggiated, mechanical sounding intro. Synthesized strings and bass.

Some kind of feedback comes in a minute or so into the song. Full drums at 1:33. The arpeggiated lines are so clear — is that a guitar? Her voice is pure but forceful.

A lead line kicks in around 3:10. Could be electric guitar, could be synthesized. Wicked flanger at 3:40, followed by vocal going very high.

I love the way this piece builds. And that synth bass line remains steady throughout. The arpeggiated guitar (?) lines sound like they’re played on glass strings.

Ends with fading synthesized strings. I hate to say the song has an ethereal quality, but it does. Like most of Bel Canto’s music, this is a beautiful piece that always remains just out of reach.

• Review of Bel Canto’s work (legendsmagazine.net)
• Singer Anneli Drecker’s web site

On this day…

• 2007: Feedburner Feed — Inspired by Joe, I’ve added a Feedburner feed for Mental Shrapnel. This promises to affect all zero of the people [...]