''A Quick Fix of Melancholy'' is the fourth EP by

Norwegian Norwegian, Norwayan, or Norsk may refer to: *Something of, from, or related to Norway, a country in northwestern Europe *Norwegians, both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway *Demographics of Norway *The Norwegian language, including the ...

experimental An experiment is a procedure carried out to support or refute a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy or likelihood of something previously untried. Experiments provide insight into cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome occurs when ...

collective

Ulver Ulver (Norwegian for "wolves") is a Norwegian experimental electronica band founded in 1993, by vocalist Kristoffer Rygg. Their early works, such as debut album '' Bergtatt'', were categorised as folklore-influenced black metal, but the band h ...

. Produced in the Winter of 2002, the EP was issued on 26 August 2003 via

Jester Records Jester Records was a record label founded in 1998 by Kristoffer Rygg (also known as Garm, Trickster G, G. Wolf and Fiery G. Maelstrom) after conflicts between his band Ulver and their German/American label Century Media Records. Artists * 13 ...

. A precursor to the album, ''

Blood Inside ''Blood Inside'' is the sixth full-length studio album by Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver. Produced by Ulver, together with Ronan Chris Murphy, the album was recorded and mixed in early 2004, and issued in June 2005 via Jester Record ...

'', ''A Quick Fix of Melancholy'' showcases the band's ability to seamlessly combine

ambient Ambient or Ambiance or Ambience may refer to: Music and sound * Ambience (sound recording), also known as atmospheres or backgrounds * Ambient music, a genre of music that puts an emphasis on tone and atmosphere * ''Ambient'' (album), by Moby * ...

and

electronic Electronic may refer to: *Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductor * ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal *Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device *Electronic co ...

music with orchestral elements. The text from “Vowels” is by Canadian author Christian Bök, taken from ''Eunoia'' (Coach House Books, 2002) and used with permission. “Eitttlane” is a rearrangement of “Nattleite” from 1996 album ''

Kveldssanger ''Kveldssanger'' (translated as ''"Twilight Songs"'') is the second studio album by Norwegian band Ulver, issued in March 1996 via Head Not Found. The album was recorded at Endless Lydstudio, Oslo, Norway in the summer and autumn of 1995, with Kri ...

''. In an interview with Modern Fix

Kristoffer Rygg Kristoffer Rygg (born 9 September 1976), also known as Garm, Trickster G. Rex and God Head, is a heavy-metal vocalist, musician and producer known primarily for his work with Ulver, Arcturus, and Borknagar. Biography Born in Oslo but raised i ...

commented, “''A Quick Fix of Melancholy'' was our way of trying to get back into writing songs—or something resembling songs—and also find out where we wanted to take things. I think after all our work with film, which is very kind of aesthetically fixed, you know. We ended up making ''

''.”

Critical reception

Rating the EP 4/5, SputnikMusic commented, "For those who know Ulver well, you may be familiar with the ever-present state of identity crisis that seems to prey on

’s musical mind, but to most, this state never ceases to satisfy. It is definitely clear that ''A Quick Fix…'' is a teaser for ''

''." Aversionline.com rated the EP 7/10, commenting, “Opener "Little Blue Birds" clearly states that this EP is a lot different than the last few, what with its orchestral synths and operatic vocals.” Global Domination rated the EP 10/10, commenting, “There are moments of a general upbeat/pensive nature, most of this is very downhearted music, sometimes shifting towards the downright depressing. Instruments include drums, violins, cellos, chimes of some sort, trumpets, a whole bunch of other shit that at times incites a euphoric kind of dreaminess, at others just really gets you down. All together everything forms a sublime masterpiece.” John Chedsey, writing for Satan Stole My Teddybear, concluded, “This is so far one of the most impressive feats for Ulver, showing they are doing nothing but growing within their chosen musical pursuit. Music is indeed an extension of one's inner expressions and Ulver seems to have tapped into a musical vein that not many are aware of. The growing skill in which Ulver is putting together their music is quite impressive and this EP is making me salivate at the thought of future releases.”

Track listing

Personnel

;Ulver *

(credited as "Trickster G.") - vocals, electronic programming * Tore Ylwizaker - electronic programming * Jørn H. Sværen - electronic programming

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Quick Fix Of Melancholy Ulver albums 2003 EPs