Slaraffenland (meaning Land of Milk and Honey in the band's native Danish) are a 5-piece rock band from Denmark whose group vocals and occasional improvisations distinguish them from the typical rock outfit. The band is loosely related to Efterklang, whose trombone player is also a member of Slaraffenland. That’s okay though, because aside from sharing a member and being released on their Rumraket label, Slaraffenland have little else in common with Efterklang. Their jangly guitars and straightforward drums sound more akin to many indie-rock bands, and their use of group vocals and horns are entirely different than those used by their labelmates. And although Private Cinema was recorded in the same studio as Tripper, this record has a much looser feeling production-wise, which fits well with the bands method of composing, integrating improvised moments within structured parts. The straightforward nature of the guitars and drums is at times reminiscent of bands like Spoon, but the strange vocals, horns, and effects keep the band from sounding derivative or generic. 

The vocals take a central role in Slaraffenland, but remain abrasive enough to prevent the band from sounding too poppy.  This also means that they will likely turn off many listeners as well.  I am often reminded very much of bands such as Modest Mouse, Interpol, and even ASMZ.   Like those bands, the slightly off-pitch vocals grow on the listener with time.  The lyrics are often only intelligible when repeating the refrain of the song, as in “Polaroids,” as the band pleads “…let me out!” or in "Watch out" as they warn "you better watch out" in a stern monotone. The choruses are quite enjoyable, and make these songs memorable without relying on catchy hooks. 

The mellow chords sustained by the brass section, as in the intro to “The Run Up,” provide a needed counter-point to the looseness the rest of the bands brusque vocals and casual guitars, as in “Show me the Way.” In other songs, however, the horns are overblown and chaotic, while order in maintained by the rhythm section and repetitive guitars. Slaraffenland at times resemble a typical indie-rock band in terms of song structures, expect that they leave room during some parts for improvisation. Some songs, such as “The Run Up” and “Ghosts,” explore a more ambient terrain, drifting away from the more standard rock structure of many of the other tracks, and were likely written from improv sessions. For the more minimalist, and largely voiceless tracks, the band manipulate timbre and envelope shape to produce interesting textures and ambience, such as in “Roed.” Songs such a “You Win,” grounded in a simple yet tremendous drumbeat, allow the band to experiment with improvisation, and produces a very different tone than on the tracks centered around guitar and vocals. Towards the 4 minute mark, unintelligible vocals drift across the background, and the drum beat eventually fades altogether, as horns and woodwinds flutter around softly picked arpeggios on acoustic guitars. The balance between the two styles is well-balanced, and the album manages to flow quite nicely. 

Slaraffenland are an experimental rock band not unlike bands such as Radiohead or Sonic Youth; essentially rock bands in shape and size, but relying on compositional experimentation more than on repetition, drone, or effects.Private Cinema is an interesting album of interlocking melodies and competing parts, coming together over it’s 11 tracks in a sloppy yet coherent whole.

-Joseph Sannicandro