blind-fitter Posted January 5, 2007 Report Share Posted January 5, 2007 One of my favourite albums of 2006 was by an artist even I've never heard of. Well, obviously I have now, but I hadn't until...If that makes any sense? Hearing Casper Hauser's "Double Glazing" got me hooked: I had to find out more. I checked out the Casper Hauser myspace, and before you know it, Casper Hauser's debut album "It's About Time" becomes a regular feature on my "current playlist". Casper Hauser is a "DIY indie songsmith", by which I understand one chap does all this, in a poky room in his flat. Impressive. The overall tone of the 11 album tracks suggests influences from the arty end of post-punk/new wave (e.g. XTC, Magazine, Wire, perhaps even Devo) and a vein of melodic indie-pop, occasionally reminiscent of Blur/Graham Coxon's solo stuff ("Upset") or, as my daughter observed, The Kaiser Chiefs... However, it's when Casper Hauser shrugs off these "indie" influences and explores other territories that he really excels. "Double Glazing" is a deceptively jaunty Euro-skank, playing host to one of the saddest lyrics I 've ever heard: a truly remarkable song. Closer listening reveals the song "Mel", a genuinely beautiful pop-song, to be an even more tear-jerking affair: apparently a reflection upon the passing of a dear friend. Either he wrote this on the back of a beer-mat at the post-funeral "do", or he is incredibly gifted at evoking this scenario. "Discussed what happened 15 years ago when the demons came to stay, but they never left your side, they tagged along then took you when you'd just turned 35..." Crikes. Music doesn't easily move me to tears, but Casper can manage it twice in the space of three tracks.... Elsewhere, "It's Ok" is a blissful Beatle-esque number about difficulties in keeping in touch with those you love, and "Guess Who" poses the question "Guess who's having a baby?". Not sure what that one's about, but it's another of my favourites. Casper Hauser aint exactly eye-candy, and I doubt he's making much money out of this music mularkey. Which is a pity, because all things considered, he would appear to be a pretty gifted musician and songwriter. Back in a while with info on how to get album / links to myspace / vid, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted January 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2007 Double Glazing Video Further info: http://www.casperhauser.co.uk http://www.myspace.com/casperhauser http://www.myspace.com/casperhauser2 http://www.myspace.com/casperhauser3 Casper Hauser album "It's About Time" is apparently available from all regular download services: Itunes, Virgin Digital, HMV Digital, Tunetribe, Napster, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted January 6, 2007 Report Share Posted January 6, 2007 Enough already ! We get ya ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyguitar Posted January 7, 2007 Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Oddly moving....the bastard offspring of John Watts and....err...John Watts. There's worse things to be. Rather charming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted March 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 John Watts is the feller out of Fischer Z? Yeah, I can see that, though I wouldn't have thought of it myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted November 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2007 I recently got in touch with Casper Hauser again, to enquire about some of the lyrics, and find out what he's currently up to. I mentioned the comparison with John Watts . Casper was well chuffed: turns out he's quite a fan of Watts and Fischer Z. Very shrewd, johnnyg! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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