Anti-
Most people will recognize Markéta Irglová and The Frames’ frontman Glen Hansard — a.k.a. The Swell Season — as the singer-songwriters who fell in love in Once. And those who recognize them from that irresistible Irish indie film should remember first and foremost the raw and passionate music they made together. How could anyone not love that soundtrack?
Unfortunately Strict Joy lacks that energy. “Low Rising” the kick-back-and-relax opener about a failed relationship sets the cruise-control pace with Hansard lamenting “There’s no further for us to fall” to a backdrop of horns and guitar. Numerous hushed and forgettable ballads follow. Irglová keeps a low profile mostly harmonizing with Hansard’s even controlled vocals. A handful of upbeat tracks — the angst-ridden and hopeful “Feeling the Pull” the angry “High Horses” — break up the mellow monotony but despite the good intentions of its likable creators Strict Joy never peaks.
