Nils Frahm The Bells

Finally, Nils Frahm's classic album The Bells sees a first vinyl edition in deluxe packaging including an album download code that includes three exclusive bonus tracks. For a musician this early in his career, Frahm displays an incredibly developed sense of control and restraint in his work, catching the ear of many fans including Four Tet and Thom Yorke. As the recognition continues to grow for his previous solo piano works Wintermusik (ERATP 018CD/LP) and The Bells (ERATP 021CD), 2011 saw the release of his most acclaimed album to date: Felt (ERATP 033CD/LP). In late 2008, Peter Broderick invited Nils to record a new album of piano improvisations -- the result is The Bells, which now finally sees a vinyl edition on Erased Tapes. Perhaps the most stunning aspect of what on the surface appears to be an entirely pre-planned and composed body of work comes with the discovery that these pieces were in fact improvised. These two friends share a common affinity in that they both possess an absolute mastery of melody, composition and performance -- able to deliver with devastating effect. The modest Mr. Broderick states "I remember thinking to myself as I lay there stunned, that I could spend ten years trying to write an amazing piece of piano music, and still it would never be half as good as these improvisations!" Recorded in a rented, beautiful old church in the heart of Berlin over two nights, Nils "just played," with the occasional instruction from Peter: "I spouted 'make a song using only the notes C, E, and G,' or 'make a song that you could imagine me rapping over the top of' ... At one point I was even inside the piano, laying on the strings, asking him to make a song called 'Peter Is Dead In The Piano.'" The resultant work The Bells shares the same excitement and air of playfulness.