Choir Of Young Believers

This Is For the White In Your Eyes (Ghostly International)

By Joanna McNaney
Published: September 1st, 2009 | 7:00am

This Is For the White In Your Eyes is the divinely inspired debut album from Danish indie-pop band, Choir Of Young Believers, led by the talented Jannis Makrigiannis. The music centers on Makrigiannis’ brilliantly executed, multi-track vocals, around which the band’s magnificent orchestral arrangements build to create lush, contemplative, dream pop compositions.

Definite comparisons could be drawn between COYB’s vocals and that of Fleet Foxes, Neil Young, or even the Beach Boys, but something in the ethereal orchestration triggers memories of both Sigur Rós and Mercury Rev’s Deserter’s Songs.

While beautifully sparse, opening track “Hollow Talk” isn’t the beginning that the second track, “Next Summer,” seems to be. “Why Must It Always Be This Way” is another highlight, which starts with stripped-down acoustic guitar and vocals and rises into a summit of sweet harmonies and strings. The most upbeat track on the album is the percussive “Action Reaction” — although it isn’t really indicative of the rest of the album, which is a pleasantly mellow listen. Best to listen with the lights low.

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