Safe Home

UPDATE: Fixed the links The all mighty Austin is back, and he comes bearing gifts! Gifts that you will surely enjoy. Ok, enough third person, it's time to get down to business. It seems that the combined genius of Zack and Derek on the ATG: Sleep Mixtape was a huge hit, and by reading through the comments it seems as though Imogen Heap was a highlight. I would like to bring all the Imogen Heapians back to our humble yet obnoxious blog to take a gander at Safe Home. Safe Home will certainly entertain you with the same similar soft sound (alliteration!) that so many love to experience in Imogen Heap. Safe Home shares the same vibe that Imogen Heap creates, but makes it their own with a much more simple and conventional song design. Instead of the face melting weird guitary synthy solos, ultra complicated beat chopping, extreme layering of vocals, and just odd sounds in general that one my find in Imogen Heap ( "Goodnight & Go" is a good example,) you will be left with a more melancholy sound. In fact, Safe Home has been referred to as

"...a treat of next-generation melancholia, a strange'n'spooky postrock-indie-folk drama built on acoustic guitars, subtle electronic widgery,and featuring the distinctive smooth whisper of Esther Sprikkelman."

Oh yes and of course they are from the Netherlands (if you didn't guess that when you read "Esther Sprikkelman,") which totally gives them some obscurity cred. So go bring Safe Home up in your next music discussion and serve someone with a hot steamy plate of Netherland melodic goodness. Safe Home consists of only two people, which explains why their music is relatively simple. I like Safe home because of their simplicity. Sometimes when I wanna feel like a fool and want to join in singing with some angelic European women, I don’t want to battle the complicated song structures of Imogen Heap, and Psaap. The England based Folktronica Duo that makes up Psapp is very similar to Safe Home, but still I feel they are even too complicated. Safe Home seems to fit nestled nicely between these two great bands, and with 5 singles, one EP, and their second album just dropping here in the states in March, I think they have shown a very respectable entrance their genre. By no means would I say Safe Home is a footnote in the genre, but more so a different take at the whole craze behind it. Below you can download some Safe Home for yourself, and make your own judgment. First for download is "They Say It" which is one of the highlights on their most recent album "The Wide Wide World And All We Know." It is very relaxing, but doesn’t let you drop too deep, thanks to the consistent beat and rising melodies. It has some beautiful harmony, and they even drop the beat like pros. Next for download is "Suspended In Gaffa." This song is the best example of a mixture of Imogen Heap and Psapp. The verse is what a Psapp fan would look for, and the chorus is very reminiscent of the layering vocals heard in Imogen Heap. It's a very short and sweet serenade that also sets a relaxing mood. Lastly, is "Leda." Leda has a more poppy tone than the other songs, and I feel almost shares some Beatles-esque melody/song structure. It is also short and sweet, like most of Safe Home's songs. Short and sweet being a good thing, instead of some of the Psapp songs which can drag on. I hope everyone knows Psapp, considering I’ve been making many comparisons to them. Just in case you haven’t heard of Psapp, I’ve uploaded one of their songs. Oh yeah, Psapp is also playing shows with Joze Gonzalez soon, so get excited. Safe Home - They Say It Safe Home - Suspended In Gaffa Safe Home - Leda Psapp - Tiger, My Friend -Austin!