Despite working on independent movie soundtracks and even a collaboration with Death In June’s Douglas P., Thomas Nöla et Son has remained one of the criminally neglected bands of this decade.  If you are not familiar with Thomas Nöla et Son Orchestre’s work, I recommend picking up their albums “So Long, Lale Andersen,” and “¡Vanity is a Sin!” immediately.  Yes, right now; it’s that good.

Thomas Nöla et Son usually combines experimental percussive elements with cello, occasional synths, and Thomas Nöla’s baritone croon in a foreboding but strangely inviting trip through ragtime, new wave, and other musical permutations.  From the samples of children laughing on “So Long, Lale Andersen” to songs like “Kinderbund” and “Children in the Fall,” there has always been a indelible presence of dystopian childhood Thomas Nöla’s works.

Here, he deviates musically, while diving even deeper into this landscape, and morbid tots everywhere can rejoice.  “Songs for Children, vol. 1″ is comprised completely of Nöla playing layers of Hammond Organ.  What we get is not the same organ of the Doors or the Animals, but rather an eerie, sinowey sound closer to what you may expect coming from the speakers at a haunted house.  When first receiving the album, I was entranced by song names like “Ice Cream Zeppelin,” “Twisted Ankle Theme,” and “Child Removal Claw.”  Impressively, these titles are entirely accurate and, as in the case of “Ice Cream Zepplin,” immediately bring to mind the image the title dictates.

“Songs for Children, vol. 1″ departs radically but sensibly away from Thomas Nöla et Son Orchestre’s previous work, and is definitely not for some one looking for a continuation of (or introduction to) their existing albums.  For Thomas Nöla’s fans, however, this album will likely not be a surprise.  If you’re enjoying the current small resurgence of minimal synth, or looking for dark ambient that doesn’t go on forever (most songs are less than three minutes), this is an album you absolutely must get.  At $4 for 8 songs,  you also have little excuse not to.

http://www.eskimofilms.com/

http://www.myspace.com/etsonorchestre