Halfway to Fivepoints

Do you remember what it was like listening to music before the Internet was a thing? Do you remember how frustrating it was to hear a song on the radio or during a movie, and have no way to find out what that song was? For all the arguments that digital piracy has ruined music forever, I've found that the inverse is the actual truth; I love being able to find music from all across the world that I would never have had a chance to learn about otherwise. You're not limited to what's playing on the radio or available in the CD aisle anymore.

Now, we have the entire world open to us, with all of its niche styles and indie artists. I love that.

I first heard of Swedish singer-songwriter Anna Ternheim when her song "No, I Don't Remember" was played during the end credits to the Xbox 360 video game Alan Wake. Her lyrics and musical ability captured my attention immediately and I wanted more. With a bit of searching based on nothing more than a half-remembered lyric, I found Anna's album Halfway to Fivepoints.

Released in 2008, Halfway to Fivepoints is Anna's debut album in the United States. It's difficult to say precisely what genre her music falls into; it's a little bit too dark to be folk, but her lyrics have an idealistic, almost hopeful quality. It's not quite alternative, although you'll hear how it almost could be. In short, Halfway to Fivepoints is more like a musical journey through multiple styles, a journey that is led by Anna's breathy vocals and pleasant rhythmic flow. It's the kind of album that you'll pick up for one song and end up letting it live in your CD player or on your MP3 playlist for several weeks. By the time you're done, you'll be on the hunt for her next albums Leaving on a Mayday and Night Visitor.

Anna Ternheim might just be Sweden's most popular international artist and in my humble opinion, it's easy to see why. Give her a listen and I think you'll agree.