Owen Pallett - Heartland

Owen Pallett - Heartland (2010)

Heartland is Owen Pallett’s third release to date, and it’s by far his most intricate. Formerly performing under the moniker Final Fantasy, Pallett is perhaps best known for his string arrangements for artists such as the Arcade Fire, Beirut and the Mountain Goats. However, Heartland is his own recorded masterpiece (composed by Pallett, performed by the Czech Symphony Strings and St. Kitts’ Winds) that’s not afraid to embrace its electronic and pop influences. Song structures take a cue from his one-man live show, a spectacle of looped violin and piano, but are expanded upon with an almost eclectic set of instruments.

Lyrically, Heartland follows the story of Lewis, a character in a fictional 14th century world of which Pallett himself is the god. The plot is a complex story of devotion and rebellion; eventually Lewis becomes disillusioned with his imperfect god and kills Pallett. The lyrics themselves are curiously written, often riddled with references to video games and previous albums.

Standout tracks include the grandiose opener Midnight Directives, the poppy single Lewis Takes Action, the somber E is for Estranged (Pallett’s violin skills really shine here) and the epic track Lewis Takes Off His Shirt. However, the songs are best heard in the context of the album as a whole.
-NTB

You can request Midnight Directives, Lewis Takes Action and Lewis Takes Off His Shirt by calling the KLSU request line at 578-5578.