The new album from Yann Tiersen, Portrait, out on Friday via Mute, finds the composer and musician revisiting his material in order to offer up new versions of these pieces. While this sort of approach isn't entirely an invigorating one, at least the interpretations here are pleasing enough that even those of you who have already heard Tiersen's stuff will likely find this set a compelling one, while newbies will find it a good introduction to the French musician's skills.
The presence of guests throughout Portrait helps make this material feel new again. "Monochrome", with vocals from Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals) is elegant and stately, and "Thinking Like a Mountain" with John Grant and Stephen O'Malley is just as good, if not even more transcendent. The music here echoes that of Philip Glass or Michael Nyman, but Yann Tiersen keeps things grounded in such a way that these short pieces feel rather unassuming and unpretentious. "The Jetty" and "The Old Man Still Wants It" are more or less classical compositions, even as "The Waltz of the Monsters" feels like something from one of the film scores Tiersen has composed in the past. Still, for all his strengths as a musician, the best Tiersen selection here is "Closer", featuring Blonde Redhead. The cut is precise and measured, even as the vocals from Kazu Makino suggest emotions being barely held in check. If more of Portrait had been like this, I would be raving about this record even more.
Portrait is out on Friday via Mute.
More details on Yann Tiersen via the official website.
[Photo: Mute]