With unfortunate irregularity, an artist’s voice will melt together with instrumentation so perfectly that the results leave you clinging to the song, playback set to loop, for weeks on end. Leif Vollebekk’s song, “Northernmost Eva Maria,” from his latest album Inlands, is one such song. Vollebekk’s deep and intimate vocals, with a hint of warm, gentle rasp, layer perfectly with the picked strings and shifting tempos, while his unpretentious rhymes betray a sophistication—literally as well as rhythmically—that few artists seem able to perfect. That this song can be so beautiful, even when describing what seems to be the morning after a one-night stand, is testament to Vollebekk’s expert craftsmanship of lyric and song.
I’m not too happy about my inability to figure out the lyrics of the last line of the third verse, but I can’t let my own imperfections get in the way of this perfect song! Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think!
Midwinter’s eve midweek in October
I saw a churchyard, green stardust blowing all over
And it snowed all over the city
The streetlamps fog so pretty
Snow all over the cityWe were so warm inside
No, she showed she had nothing to hide
By the window, by the bed, there was something said
The morning was a-coming so, so soon
With her orchard breath in bloom
It’s coming so soon, so soonI was standing there at the top of the stairs
You did up your coat
And how should I know
We were going nowhere?
When we said goodbye I saw some look in your eyes
Which was not like the skies, which were being so indecisiveAnd I’m walking away without turning around
I’m struggling to make it all seem so profound
I must’ve been lost around the time that I found you, Eva…
You can listen to “Northernmost Eva Maria” for free at CBC Radio 3’s New Music Canada, and you can find more music by Leif Vollebekk on iTunes, at CBC Radio 3, at MySpace Music, or on his official website.
4 Comments
Completely agree – this song’s gorgeous build up and the pleading, desperately beautiful way the lyrics are sung get me every time.
As for verse three, there may be a “was not like the skies” in there, but it is hard to tell! I bet if you emailed him directly he’d let you know!
I think you’re right about the “was not like the skies” line, and I’ve changed it to reflect that. Thanks! If you’re looking for more great songs by Leif, “In the Morning” is just a tiny notch below this one in terms of awesomeness.
Such an incredible song! I think the line is actually “was not like the skies which were being so indecisive”, personally.
I would tend to agree. Thanks! I’ve updated the lyrics.