The music on this cd is original, fresh, folk-like, and has a great balance of harmonies, catchy melodies, and beautiful LOVE Songs. :) The music is very light, emotional, and touches my heart. The music is representative of everyday life conundrums and typical situations, pertaining to love and life. I LOVED it!! Great musical artistry and blending of styles, harmonies, and melodies. They all meshed well in this CD. It is timeless, in that it traverses melodies or techniques that I have heard in my past, but also introduces pleasing, new and fresh ones. Thank you Magnus for this CD!!
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Two contemporary pop/folk/punk songs from this singer/songwriter. The title incorporates flute, along with acoustic guitar and male vocals, sung in English. The b-side is an acoustic cover of "Meat Is Murder" by The Smiths. In addition to the lyrics, an insert with accompanying explanations for the song choices was included (good), which helped me gain a better perspective on this record. With the current crop of neo-folk (Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom etc.) gaining wide popularity, it's cool to see strong vegan politics being incorporated into this genre. Money from the sales of this record will go to a Norwegian animal rights group. Good job.
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This is another Norway import and like his fellow countryman, Even Johansen (Magnet), Magnus Eliassen is a force to be reckoned with. His imprint is all over these productions that are at times sparse, and other times full of life and energy. From playing most of the instruments to the stellar productions and vocals. Magnus allows the listener to peer into his soul as he sings about love and redemtion seemingly for the pure joy of it. Each tune on Second Grace is a tour de force of kinetic creativity. To say there’s really nothing like it in the marketplace is an understatement. Even with the aforementioned comparison, it’s evident from the almost subliminal opening tune, ”The Meaning of Life”, there’s an assertiveness to how Magnus lays out his mission statement for this release. ”There’s so much I want to say to you”, he sings in the opening verse as if he’s aware of and speaking to each and every heart that’s listening. In this tune, he continues to explain that being given the ’grace of a call’, he confesses that his reasons for what he’s doing in this release is beyond mere showmanship..., beyond the vanity that motivates most.

You’ll be drawn to ”Lois Is Happy” for it’s infectious rhythms, but pay attention to the lyric and learn the much deeper reasons why Lois is happy! ”Falling in Love” is an epic hit, but unlike it’s version on MySpace, the CD cut is much fuller and more involved. With several ’false endings’, each new level brings a new surprise for the listener. For this reviewer’s taste, you can’t beat ”Weakness” for it’s sheer musicality. From the backing vocals and the lead sung in the pocket like a snare hit, Magnus shows his versatility as a writer and vocalist that is just as commercial as anyone on the charts while still maintaining his uniqueness without compromise. He closes this release with ”Until We Meet Again”, which does, as the opening tune, establish his connection to his audience as he promises to ’return’ with even more where this came from. ”You’ll be welcomed to take my hand” he shares as he knowingly takes the leader’s role into a beautiful world of sound and love, ”If I don’t break or band, one day we’ll meet again”.

This is an artist that shouldn’t be hard to find in the years to come. This is nothing short of a masterpiece and with all that it has going for it, should allow Magnus Eliassen a much deserving audience and platform in the very near future. In the meantime, check him out on MySpace and please purchase this disc and see if you too agree, that this is one of ’those’ CD’s that you’ll remember exactly where you were when you first heard it. It’s really THAT good.
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This Album really grew on me quickly... I have always been fascinated with Norway... and especially northern Norway. the strangely cold and bleak land from where this dude hales...  The album to me is incredibly well produced and that he did it in granny and grandpa's house....!!!! woooooooow... I wonder if grandma knew what was going on at the time... lol :)... the recording is utterly phenomenal and the feeling is all there.  I am really familiar with "the write a million love songs for some girl and then she likes the songs but finds you maybe a little intense and a even a bit obsessed" because i have done this a few.... and I can definitely relate with him...  for me however....strangely the girl comes back years down the road right when you least expect it.  I like most all of the songs on this album... there are a couple songs with some (in my opinion) sappy/cheesy parts... that for me are maybe a bit "pop radio" at times... but i don't mind because there always seems to be a beautifully balancing melody with a really interesting vocal harmony waiting around the corner...("never doubt that she would write!) I really like the way Magnus uses his voice... He has a really pretty and sweet ununciation that probably partly stems from his norwegian accent...  his overdubbed vocal harmonies are profoundly smooth and super creative and by the way really "in tune and in key".... it is worth way more than the price he is asking... inspiration like this is priceless to me...  If you are really sensitive and perceptive to vibes... you might even catch/hear/feel/ a glimpse of the elusive nordic love elves, gnomes, and love trolls that come out of the woodwork to the beat of this drum.... just listen..... listen closely.... be inspired.... be gifted.... saaaa bless bless   
Magnus... don't ever lose the sweet norwegian vibes and accent.... it is unbeatable...
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