Recently, new reader Macki asked me to describe the music of Chandeen and make specific track recommendations. What follows is my response to that request. (I also realize that there have been other requests regarding specific posts here... and all I can say is those are in the works). Anyway, I'm going to consider this a band dissection, of sorts. And if I dig doing it... more may follow. But in the meantime, let me welcome you to anatomy class. Today's subject: [url=www.chandeen.com]Chandeen.[/url]
When you visit the Chandeen website you are instantly greeted with the following claim: "Through more than a decade, Chandeen have managed to artistically steer clear of the stereotype of ethereal music." Now, I am not exactly certain what the "stereotype of ethereal music" is, but I do agree that Chandeen's sound is unique, varied and instantly recognizable as their own.
[u][b]History: [/b][/u] Oliver Henkel and Harald Löwy founded Chandeen in 1990. The band’s first singer Aline Akbari, joined them in 1991 soon to be followed by Antje Schulz, who joined in 1992. Although Akbari left the band two years later (prior to the release of their first studio album), Schulz would remain the primary vocalist who defined the Chandeen sound for the remainder of their existence. The band's first album [u]Shaded By The Leaves[/u], was released on [url=http://www.discogs.com/label/...]Hyperium Records [/url] and helped to give birth to the "heavenly voices" sound that became the label's signature. This album also featured the band's 3rd vocalist Catrin Mallon who shared vocal duties with Antje Schulz. [u]Shaded by Leaves[/u] is a collection of electronic pop tracks that explore a variety of different textures while maintaining a "goth" edge. Both Schulz and Mallon's vocals are stunning on this album.
In autumn 1994 Oliver Henkel and Harald Löwy moved to Jutland, Denmark, for six weeks to compose and produce the second album, which they aptly titled [u]Jutland[/u]. They created a deeply atmospheric album, which had a lasting effect on the complete German underground scene. Ecki Stieg, the eye and the ear of the scene in 1995 commented: "With [u]Jutland[/u], Chandeen created an album which will be a benchmark for all other bands [sic] in this genre. This is the best release in several years." The album reached Top Ten peak positions for more than 10 weeks in the German independent charts and until this day [u]Jutland [/u]remains the most startling and unique of Chandeen's albums.
In 1994, both Catrin Mallon and Oliver Henkel left the band and in the spring of 1995, Chandeen's 4th vocalist Stephanie Härich came aboard. Six month later came the EP-CD, [u]Light Within Time[/u], followed in 1996 by the third album, [u]The Waking Dream[/u]. Chandeen toured extensively in 1996 and became the spearhead of the German Heavenly Voices- Romantic scene. In 1997 Chandeen left Hyperium Records and signed a new contract with SPV. One year later they released their fourth studio album [u]Spacerider-Love At First Sight[/u], with their new guitar player Florian Walther.
In the spring of 1999, Harald Löwy founded his own record label Kalinkaland Records and released the fifth album [u]Bikes And Pyramids [/u]in Fall 2002, the last album to feature Stephanie Härich.
They released their latest and sixth studio album [u]Echoes[/u] in 2003. [u]Echoes[/u] was the returning to Chandeen's roots: the meditative, romantic part of their music became the centre of their influence again. "[u]Echoes[/u] is an album full of energy", Harald Löwy says, "it sparkles and glows and has the soul which we missed from our later works. We've come full circle for Chandeen."
Unfortunately, [u]Echoes[/u] would be Chandeen's last studio album, although a compilation/greatest hits album, [u]Pandora's Box[/u], would follow. The band split up in 2004. (Source: www.chandeen.com)
[u][b]Description:[/b][/u ] Not unlike the band's line-up, Chandeen's sound endured significant changes over the course of their 12 year existence. While their initial release has, in my opinion, a decidedly gothic edge, later works explore a variety of sounds ranging from girl-pop to space-rock and back again, while always keeping one foot planted in the gauzy, layered, ethereal genre that they helped to create. There are two things that set Chandeen apart from other bands within the Hyperium/Heavenly Voices fold, however:
#1 Antje Schulz' vocals: Although I have read some reviews in which the author complains about the hint of German accent that flavors Schulz's vocals, for me this just one of the qualities that distinguishes her voice from other femal vocalists. Indeed, the tenor of Schulz’ vocals and the unexpected manner in which they are delivered are a melodic contradiction: soft and poignant, while also distinctive and disquieting… fragile and wilting, while also dazzling and evocative… haunting and persistent, while also soothing and comforting. Schulz’ soft soprano vocals are unabashedly dripping with emotion and unashamedly flawed and imperfect. But these oddly paired attributes seem the perfect match for…
#2 The mournful lyrics that characterize much of their music. Some of Chandeen’s most beautiful moments are achieved through the ability of the listener to recognize his or her own personal heartache in the band’s lyrics.
[i]Stay is all I can entreat you, but I know it’s much too late You prefer this kind of freedom, you choose your way Now I stay on my own, searching for a meaning Try to walk upright, it’s not that easy… Oh no, it’s that easy Waiting for the time to heal my sores to go by Waiting the time to die Come to me, and hold back the tears in my eyes Come to me, and take me down to your illusion Come to me, and help me to forget the sorrows of my life Come to me… Oh… I don’t want to get hurt anymore. -- “One Last View” from Jutland[/i]
[u][b]Recommendations:[/b ][/u] One release that is not mentioned in the history above is the band’s first greatest hits release [u]A Taste Like Ginger.[/u] This is a great compilation with tracks from the band’s first four albums and includes some personal favorites:
“Ginger” from Jutland “Silver Days” from The Waking Dream “Anyone’s View from the Inside” from The Waking Dream “Mourning Was Driven Ashore” from Shaded by Trees “In Power We Entrust The Love Advocated” from The Waking Dream “Fire and Water” from Light Within Time “Strawberry Passion” from Jutland As well as a live version of “One Last View” from Jutland
All in all, [u]A Taste Like Ginger [/u]provides a pretty good overview of the band and would serve as an ample introduction for new listeners. This is also probably my personal favorite.
However, no Chandeen collection would be complete with [u]Shaded by Leaves [/u]which provides a wonderful glimpse at the band’s beginnings, while an equally impressive glimpse into late period Chandeen can be found in [u]Spacerider - Love at First Sight[/u], which marked somewhat of a departure for the band musically, but which also boasts some of my absolute favorites tracks from this diverse band.
[u][b]A Personal Note:[/b][/u] I think the reason why Chandeen speaks to me personally is because of the way they were introduced to me. Like Love Spirals Downwards, Chandeen arrived in my life by way of a mix tape, from a far away person who wanted to share some of his "weird" music with me. The first Chandeen song I ever heard was "Anyone’s View from the Inside" from [u]The Waking Dream[/u], which boasts delicate piano, a gunshot and a high piercing scream. Now, if that doesn't leave an impression, I'm not sure what will. :) At any rate, if there's one thing I know to be true about music, it's that you can learn a whole lot about a person by simply taking a closer look at the music that makes up the soundtrack to his/her life. When Chandeen, (as well as other bands in that genre) were given to me, the door was opened to a whole new world that included more than just music. It may sound melodramatic to say, but I liken finding this music to being a painter whose pallet once contained only grays, until one day, someone cracked open the box of crayolas, exposing me to an entire world of color with which to paint my canvas. To say that it was life changing, would be an understatement. To say that I am grateful is only the beginning....
posted by: jonathan (reply)
post date: 05.11.04 (10:24 pm)
this is a through write up and history of Chandeen. Nice work juniper-girl. I remember the first time I listened to Shaded by the Leaves. Antje's voice was something brand new and amazing to me. She still young, so she'll hopefully land with another group. I'm excited to see where and when she shows up again.
posted by: irishred (reply)
post date: 05.12.04 (8:25 am)
I am going to check this group out!
posted by: macki (reply)
post date: 05.12.04 (9:44 am)
hi
thanks for the "anatomy class" and suggestions, i will surely check them out(by the way, what an excellent class:) ). also, i was wondering if u would e interested in some e-mail exchanging?(dont know if i spelled this one right)
bye and thanks again for the class
posted by: jonathan (reply)
post date: 05.12.04 (10:22 am)
love the personal note. that was sweet.
posted by: newbie (reply)
post date: 05.12.04 (10:40 am)
Reply to: macki
you're welcome!
there is a link to the side that will allow you to send me a message via tblog, if you like.... but i'm pretty good about responding here.
thanks for you comments.
posted by: juniperflux (reply)
post date: 05.12.04 (10:40 am)
Reply to: newbie
oops... that newbie was me. :)
posted by: SheSpecies (reply)
post date: 05.12.04 (11:57 am)
Great blog. I'm definitely going to check them out.
posted by: cmaze (reply)
post date: 05.12.04 (12:20 pm)
you never cease to amaze me in the way you write about music. always informative and never lacking in quality. i love coming to your blog. i'm about to check out some chandeen...as long as the boss doesn't mind...but he never seems to ;-) thanks again for enhancing my music scope :-P you ever listen to modest mouse?
Wow! Such high praise! Thanks so much for your comments. As for Modest Mouse, I know I have one CD by them, but I can't think of the name right now. Good stuff though.
posted by: SheSpecies (reply)
post date: 05.12.04 (10:02 pm)
Sweet. I'm going to check the local Boulder music store for their cd. ;-)
posted by: jonathan (reply)
post date: 05.13.04 (7:23 pm)
Chandeen may be tough to find at your "local" music stores. I doubt even Borders would carry them. Easiest/quickest way may be going through Amazon.com
the local borders here has two chandeen's on file at their distribution center and told me that they could order them... but as i recall they were classified as imports and quite expensive.
Oliver Henkel and Harald Löwy founded Chandeen in 1990. The band’s first singer Aline Akbari, joined them in 1991 soon to be followed by Antje Schulz, who joined in 1992. Although Akbari left the band two years later (prior to the release of their first studio album), Schulz would remain the primary vocalist who defined the Chandeen sound for the remainder of their existence. The band's first album [u]Shaded By The Leaves[/u], was released on [url
In 1994, both Catrin Mallon and Oliver Henkel left the band and in the spring of 1995, Chandeen's 4th vocalist Stephanie Härich came aboard. Six month later came the EP-CD, [u]Light Within Time[/u], followed in 1996 by the third album, [u]The Waking Dream[/u]. Chandeen toured extensively in 1996 and became the spearhead of the German Heavenly Voices- Romantic scene. In 1997 Chandeen left Hyperium Records and signed a new contract with SPV. One year later they released their fourth studio album [u]Spacerider-Love At First Sight[/u], with their new guitar player Florian Walther. 
#1 Antje Schulz' vocals: Although I have read some reviews in which the author complains about the hint of German accent that flavors Schulz's vocals, for me this just one of the qualities that distinguishes her voice from other femal vocalists. Indeed, the tenor of Schulz’ vocals and the unexpected manner in which they are delivered are a melodic contradiction: soft and poignant, while also distinctive and disquieting… fragile and wilting, while also dazzling and evocative… haunting and persistent, while also soothing and comforting. Schulz’ soft soprano vocals are unabashedly dripping with emotion and unashamedly flawed and imperfect. But these oddly paired attributes seem the perfect match for…