The Fine Arts Showcase - Radiola
(Adrian Recordings)

Two years after "...Presents the Electric Pavilion," Gustav Kjellvander has grown substantially not in only songwriting, but in performance, and his new album is proof of this (and perhaps the numerous drug references, as Avi mentioned earlier, has propelled his growth). Gone is the distorted theremin and static tracks on every song, to be replaced instead by horns and keyboards. "Radiola" finds The Fine Arts Showcase much more focused on songsmith and story and provides a more cohesive record. Lucid tracks such as "Brother in black" and the single "Chemical girl" set the listener in space, with Gustav's narrative guiding the listener through a hazed dusk. The three instrumentals on the album break it up quite well, with the introductory title track setting for the three songs to follow. "Part II" is a fitting transition between the aforementioned "Brother in black" and could-be-Electric-Pavilion track "Frida and I" (albeit if this song had appeared on the TFAS debut, it would be one of the stronger tracks). The last segue track, "Anna and the moon" is a take on "Amazing Grace" and provides a relaxing moment before the big band beat of "Spanish kerosene." Although a little on the short side (thirteen tracks in thirty-five mintues), "Radiola" is a great second record for TFAS, and thus far is one of the best new records to be released in this young year.
- Matt Giordano