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FilterIt's just a series of strangely gorgeous, breezy tunes from two awkward Norwegians who continue to remind us that love can be confusing, joy dark and pain very beautiful. [Fall 2009, p.98]
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Percussion is nowhere to be found on the group's latest release, Declaration of Dependence, and the pair's Simon & Garfunkel-esque harmonies are less dynamic than they once were. But there are still plenty of bright spots.
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For the length of the album, at least, Kings Of Convenience do a standup job of convincing the listener that loud is long forgotten, and in these violent, uncertain times, quiet is king.
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Whether inspired by lovers, each other, or the warmongers of the world, Kings of Convenience's latest is ultimately just what its title says: a bold and beautiful assertion that we are better off together than apart.
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Adding drums might have spoiled the introspective and feather-light feel of the record. Anyone who's been on their bandwagon all along will be glad of that, as they'll rejoice that Declaration of Dependence turns out to be another autumnal treasure from the Kings.
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Declaration of Dependence is thus a welcome return from a long-absent band, and a fine easy-listening album, but one that ultimately feels emptier than its predecessors.
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At times, the forlorn vibe can get oppressive--'Peacetime Resistance' goes one love-as-war metaphor too far--but overall, the album is a welcome return from these princes of the bummer.
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The band’s determinedly bare-bones instrumentation is undeniably refreshing, with nary a drumset or piece of electronics in sight, but it also lends itself to a mild-mannered monotony that is broken up only intermittently.
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Declaration of Dependence offers a sense of cohesion their previous albums don’t, a complete story through melody.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 20 out of 23
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Mixed: 3 out of 23
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Negative: 0 out of 23
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Sep 7, 2020
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Jan 17, 2013