Carpark North - Albums Collection 2003-2014 [5CD]

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Carpark North - Albums Collection 2003-2014 [5CD]

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Carpark North is a Danish electronic rock band. The name "Carpark North" was created from the electro and rock genres: "Carpark" stands for car parks, edges, roughness, metal - the rock part, and "North" stands for northern lights, stars ethereal electronics.

Danish electro-pop outfit Carpark North released their first album, Carpark North, in 2004. The group – Lau Højen, Søren Balsner, and Morten Thorhauge – scored a big hit with its eponymous full-length, with the single "Transparent and Glasslike" hitting the number two spot on the Danish charts. The follow-up full-length, All Things to All People, was released in 2005. The album, while not a chart-topper like their first album, still managed to crack the Top Five and continue the band's home nation momentum. A third album, Grateful, was released in 2008. Carpark North also had the honor of having a track – "Human" – featured on the Electronic Arts hit video game FIFA 08.

Chris True, Allmusic.com

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I heard this album back in 2002 when I was lucky enough to come across it in a charity clearance sale ( I worked for EMI for many years and the annual 'clearout' was a chance to find obscure promo's etc. for £5 a carrier bag full)! Since it has become a regular go-to album in my collection. This copy I bought recently was a gift to a friend who'd heard me playing it. He loved it and has passed the word on to other people. Thats the thing with this album, whilst also serving as a soundtrack to a dark Euro movie it stands up as a fine piece of work. This band are massive in Scandinavia and possess the knack of writing catchy songs with quirky construction that seem to delight everyone I have played it around. Check out YouTube for 'Transparent & Glasslike', if you like that then you must have this album!

Mr. C. J. Jarvis, Amazon.co.uk

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My first exposure to Carpark North was on a video blog where I saw the music video for Human. First and foremost, WATCH THAT VIDEO! If you aren't absolutely obsessed with the song after that point, perhaps this album won't be for you.

Carpark North is a Danish rock group, and while some sources call them pop rock, they are nothing like the pop rock that clogs the scenes now. This is alt rock, in it's purest form. There is no unifying theme between the songs, there is no universal style that ties the album together. It is a collection of absolutely amazing songs and a representation of great musicianship.

The album starts with "Berlin", a great example of what to expect from these guys. Very melodic, unconventional, dark and brooding. Not a fast, or heavy song, but very tense. It's great.
It moves on to "Human", a fast-paced rocker with a great chorus. It's addictive as hell, and one of the best songs on the album, if not the best.
"Best Day" has an 80's rock feel, the computer beats and synths setting up the feel of the song. When it dives into the chorus, you'll be hooked. This song is absolutely amazing, and one of my favorites.

The next song, "Fireworks", is alright. Probably the weakest on the album, slow…meandering. I don't skip it though, strangely enough. I just love this guy's voice.
"Run" is a slower, heavier tune. I don't listen to this one much so I can't really comment on it.
"Transparent & Glasslike" is a carry-over tune from the group's first album. If it weren't for the bleed-in from the last tune, this song would be fantastic. I just don't like songs that start with the end of the last song. This is tinged with electro (as some of their songs are) and is really a great listen.
"Song About Us" is their hardest song, a driving bass-crunch carrying the song from chorus to verse. This is a great song if you can get past the dissonance in the grungy guitars.
The next song is another one of my favorites, "Newborn". It is definitely radio-fare (if they ever release this album in the US, I hope this gets released as a single) featuring the singer's hypnotic vocals over a stripped-down 80's drum beat and simple guitars. A great, great song.
It follows with "Wild Wonders", another one of my obsessions on this disc. "Wild Wonders" is very radio as well, faster-paced than "Newborn" and a lot catchier. This song rocks my socks.
"There's A Place" is an emotional, slow song. Very dark and overbearing, wishing for something extraordinary. I love this song.
"The Beasts" is probably one of the best songs I've heard in a long time. It actually conveys a feeling in the music of what the title suggests. It is mysterious, fast-paced, and if it weren't for the rock aspects, might actually do well in a horror movie. This song has to be heard to be believed, because I can't do it justice with words alone.

Actually, that's how the whole album is. I just spent a lot of time talking about it, but you won't know until you hear. They made a fan out of me, and I will be keeping an eye out for anything upcoming. I love this group and what they have to offer.

Benjamin Norman, Amazon.com

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Grateful is the third studio album by Danish electro-rock band Carpark North, released on 8 September 2008. The album has spawned four singles: "Shall We Be Grateful", "More", "Save Me from Myself" and "Leave My Place". The song "Save Me from Myself" was covered by Brazilian Christian rock band Oficina G3 and Christian musician Michael W. Smith.

In late 2006 the band started building their own recording studio "Yderlandet" in Copenhagen, and began to work on their third album. Around the same time Carpark North left EMI for a Danish independent label, Copenhagen Records, to have total control over their sound. In mid 2007 they were contacted by American producer Brian Sperber (Moby, Julian Casablancas), who wanted to produce their next release. Sperber joined the production mid-way and finished the songs together with mixing the album.

The album was certified platinum in Denmark and became their most successful release to date. 'The title, Grateful, suddenly made more and more sense to us, 'cause we WERE really amazed by the success gained from this album. During those months we were in a constant state of gratefulness,' said the band's vocalist Lau Højen.

Wiki

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Carpark North are a Danish band who have made me sit up and listen. Casting an ear back over their earlier work it becomes clear that they have always produced music of considerable emotional power. Their 2003 debut was a very confident first showing. Strong on melody, big on feeling. 'Homeland' in particular is a wonderful composition which manages to work on the mind and the heart simultaneously.

The band are: Lau Hojen/vocals & guitar, Soren Balsner/bass and synths and Morten Thorhauge/drums. Their ability to integrate electronic elements within a more traditional rock structure makes for music of hugely varied density and colour. The eleven tracks on their new album 'Lost' does not find the band in vastly different territory from that which they have inhabited from the beginning. There has, however, been no audible diminution in their creative or performing powers.

Opening number 'Lost (Peace)' is a composition of epic proportions. A great wave of sound sweeping us along in its wake. Mr Hojen has a very, very good voice. Clear and sound as a bell and with an impressive range, he brings a sense of rapture and innate musicality to everything he touches.

The band's occasional "prog" tendencies look forward rather than backwards. Tracks like 'Just Human', 'Shutdown' and the exhilaratingly barmy 'Beasts' somehow manage to balance complexity with accessible and thoroughly enjoyable tunes.

'Save Me From Myself' has the kind of enormous backbeat and uplifting chorus which can make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. The project's finest moment by a mile!!

'Lost' knows exactly what it's doing and where it's going.

A Stunning Achievement!

The Wolf, TOP 100 REVIEWER, Amazon.com

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Die-hard CPN fans may be split on Pheonix, as the album represents a departure from their traditional rock-synth influenced edge to a more pop-oriented assemblage of songs - I for one, adore Pheonix and all of its bold unabashed offerings - from the atmospheric piano-based intro to the only real "rock song" title track "Phoenix" to "32", a memorable, danceable duet with Danish pop artist Stine Bramsen. Then we have arena-grade anthematic "Renegade" which represents a classic CPN sound. Next we are treated to "Just Like Me" which features marvelous guitar work from guest musician Søren Dahl Jeppesen - this is gorgeous song! "You're My Fire", a melodic ballad, represents a love it or hate it song that infuses hip hop elements courtesy of the Danish duet Nik and Jay (I, for one. love this one!). "Better off Alone" stands out as the highlight of the album for me. It's HUGE! - It's everything a CPN song should be, rich with emotion and depth, and lead singer Lau Højen's vocals have never sounded better. "I Walk On" is a slower, reflective track that slowly builds to a steady beat…not really a very strong song in my book but still enjoyable. "Copenhagen" is a love letter to Danish capital and it's a beautiful track - taking us on a magical journey through the city streets both in day and night. "Army of Open Arms", the first single from the album, is a easily digestible tune but not anything special in my book. "One to Breathe For" is an interesting song - very creative use of instrumentation here with abstract textures completing Lau's vocals. Finally "Brothers" concludes the album with another reflective track highlighting the tight bond between bandmates…it's a perfect way to wrap up what I believe represents CPN's best album to date! My wish for CPN is that they become more recognized world-wide, as right now they remain Denmark's best kept musical secret….this band deserves the world's ear!!

PositiveLastAction, Amazon.com