“Tänk er mörka skogsstigar där man snubblar över trädens hårda, förrädiska och sökande rötter. Samtidigt sjunker dina fötter djupare och djupare i leran medan desperationen gör sig påmind genom att du kippar efter andan. Sådan är känslan som det Göteborgshuserande bandet I Am You We Are framkallar på sin både smygande och krypande debut-EP The Masquerade.
Det är mörkt, men inte nattsvart. De nästan orientaliska flöjterna och det försiktiga pianot inger hopp. Uppbyggnaden är naken och sårbar medan texterna berättar hemligheter som tåls att höra och behålla. Jag förundras över stämsångens vackra känsla och vill ibland inte att det ska ta slut. Det finns även något experimentellt över helhetsgreppet, något som man vill förstå men samtidigt inte kan klura ut och ta med sig hem direkt. Den ångestfyllda låten Veil är den som är mest lättillgänglig med sitt försiktiga uppvaknande och mörka innehåll. Jag tänker på band som Zegota i deras mer avskalade stunder och jag gillar det. Kolla upp I Am You We Are, för det här bandet kommer vara värt att hålla ögonen på.”
13 oktober, Lukinzine
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“I am you we are” is a new Swedish band and Masquerade is their first well promised ep. Their sound is close to dark music but it’s not exactly darkwave, it’s close to pop but not pop-driven, and of course it’s close to ethnic and world music. I believe that generally the word “experimental” is what really describes it as a music genre. This EP is especially “strange” and I believe that deserves something more than a try. This is not a “normal” band, as they introduce to their music non usual instruments, like the flute, the accordion and the traditional djembe.
The “first song “Love song for the mob” sounds really oriental. The flute that introduces the song surprised me well, as I never really listened to its sound before, but in this song it is the main musical instrument and the composition basis. This introduction was transferring us in a whole different world and time, somewhere in a palace in the Middle East. Then, the contrast between the soft and sweet woman’s vocals and the dark man’s ones impressed me. These vocals were excellent in the whole ep and I really want to congratulate Phoenix Slättner and Anahita Apifera for their talent.
In “Veil” the flute is replaced by the piano which is very well played. In “Killing Time” I noticed the guitar as well which was hidden in the previous songs.
“Elements” was a man piano duo with the flute and some women’s noises in the background.
In the end it is the self titled song where the accordion is used as well. What I really enjoyed in this song, which is my favourite, was the way that was transformed from a soft ballade to an intensive song and then to a fete song. It sounds like saying to us goodbye in a more happy “and see you next time” way. I’ll close this article saying that “I am you we are” deserve at least a record label for the distribution of this EP.”
5 October, Noizine
http://noiz.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/i-am-you-we-are-the-masquerade-2009/
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“We’re looking at a multi-instrumentals band here… Flute, Saxo, Drums, Guitars, Synth, Accordion and the devil knows what else. I’m even wondering how many people are involved in this band.
“I am You We Are” definitely went for substance as oppose to style… which by the way is BIG PLUS in the underground music scene. 5 Songs ~ 5 themes ~ Lots of joyeous as well despair emotions.
Cutting edge rough vocals singing lyrics of angst ~ sarcasm ~ aching and hurtful over agonizing emotions. GOODNESS I went to bed last night and I just couldn’t get the voices on “Veil” out of my head.
This is neither a comparison nor a critics for any of the bands. But just a thought… If “I am You We Are” lift up speed and rythm in their sounds as well involving a bit of shouting rather than singing then their won’t be any difference between them and Arcade Fire.
However, Dats said… I’d still prefer them to sound like “Green Fairies High On Absinthe” rather than to have another Arcade Fire”
10 september, TheSirensSound
http://www.thesirenssound.com/2009/09/10/i-am-you-we-are-masquerade/
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