Ceremony

I remember standing in the corner of the Hoxton bar wondering how such a tiny blonde creature, almost obscured by the organ she was caressing, could generate so much intensity and passion when a voice, as clear and penetrating as a crystal knife, rose above the rapturous frenzy of the organ and sent the hairs on the back of my neck into overdrive. I don't know whether the disparate collection of people in the audience loved or hated what they were hearing, but I was in no doubt that everyone was suddenly aware that they were witnessing the emergence of an extraordinary and orginal talent.Ceremony may be loosely labelled as a 'pop' or indie pop' album, but it's light years away from the mostly predictable, insipid genres of pop that emanates from our radios and televisions.This is something very special indeed. Bold, original and extraordinarily powerful. There is a dark, funereal quality to the album, but running through everything there is also a sense of joy and defiance that finds no greater expression than in the magnificent, and strangely uplifting, Funeral for my Future Children or the tender, subdued counterpoint of the hauntingly beautiful Litany of Light.Music for grown ups. A masterpiece. My album of the year.

Well packaged, arrived promptly.Great album, ambient at times- but when the vocals kick in they do stir the emotions. I'm sure if Anna was around a couple of decades ago, Ivo Watts -Russell would have signed her to 4AD- she is that good !

The concept of this album is to utiise the organ of Annedal "church" in Gothenburg, Sweden as the basis for Anna's music and it is a really intriguing and overall a very successful one. The "church" is actually more like a cathedral (1,000 capacity according to the Goteborg Tourist Office!) and the sound is much more expansive than a typical church organ. Over this backdrop are overlaid more conventional guitars and percussion and most strikingly the vocals of Anna and her sister Maria on all but a sprinkling of instrumental tracks. The sisters' excellent vocals differ both from each other and according to the mood of the track, but if you need a comparison think of Elizabeth Frazer with a bit of Kate Bush thrown in. The overall mood is generally is very subdued as reflected in the titles of the tracks but the album occasionally escapes its melancholia on the more upbeat cuts like Mountains Crave. The standout track is Funeral for My Future Children which had me wishing for a lyric sheet which is sadly absent. So the CD loses a star from me for variability and lack of lyric sheet, but if you like the Cocteau Twins, Efterklang and Arcade Fire you will find plenty to like here.

An amazing collection of beautiful songs enhanced by the addition of Anna's sister on vocals for some of the tracks.Much better than her later album, The Miraculous. I would recommend buying Ceremony if you are a first time buyer - you will not be disappointed.The instrumentation and production are first class.

Like a lot of people, I heard this on radio 6 late at night and was hooked. I really like the feel of the music and Anna`s voice. The effects she creates on "one body" send shivers down my neck. I`d love to hear more like this.Highly recommended.

It is unusual to hear someone grappling with a huge church organ in the 'pop' music field.Anna Von Hausswolff creates a beautiful album with this amazing instrument. You have to listen over and over but the rewards are high.

Liked this CD. Reminds me of church music as the organ is so prevalent. Anna's voice also reminds me of Kate Bush.

Absolutely spellbinding, fantastic ethereal vocals married with plenty of pipe organ, genius. Keep up the good work, Anna.