Tag: Reviews
Despite the fact that plenty of attempts at combining singer/songwriter folk and electronica have been done in the past few years, very few have been successful. Black Audio, despite having a more electric side to their music, fit in with many of those unsuccessful bands. There is a lot of influences in there but the dominant is Dylan, in his various forms, and combined with the uninteresting electronics they produce, it makes for a very painful listen. The idea is good, the execution just sucks.
- Simon Thibaudeau
If I had a dime for every time a new Swedish super-group forms, well, I'd had a lot of dimes, but this just goes to show the cooperative nature of Swedish musicians that wants to make them work together. Markus Krunegård has proven himself to be quite a songsmith with Laakso, and he continues the trend here, but with an vastly different sound. Hets are a different breed, drawing elements from the Ramones, Black Flag and Gorilla Biscuits. The music and raw and very uptempo and the vocal lines squeal in their hugging-the-mic delivery. The ballads on the album soften the feel, but the fast tracks such as"Napalm på Östermalm", "Trist javisst" and "Ulf" is where the band shines. A solid debut record where each member brings their best.
- Matt Giordano
Like the rest of you IAT! readers I first heard about this band last fall when a few shows of theirs were posted on the page (most notably the date with David & the Citizens really caught my attention) and I wanted to find out more about this band, but the web was empty with information. Fast forward to the very early part of 2006 when not only is it announced they have an EP coming out on Dolores, but a website with streamable audio! This got me excited. I anticipated this record in the mail and it does not disappoint. The only downside is that there are only four songs on here, but it makes you want a full-length immediately. These songs are some of the catchiest tracks you'll hear all year, and once spring hits, they'll sound even better in the sun. This debut is one of the most confident assurances of indierock I've heard in a long time, yet it still has elements or lilt and fun.
- Matt Giordano
Both Kevin and Avi are all over this album, and to be completely honest: they are right to be. Lampshade create some beautiful music with intelligent arrangement and memorable melodies. Singer RebekkaMaria Andersson does, as Kevin mentioned, have a similar tone to Björk, but she is much more natural and fluid, albeit less powerful, than the Icelandic goddess. This is lovely pop and clever songwriting all combined with a taste for melancholy that is very pleasing. But, for some reason, I just can't get into it. It all seems a bit stiff and deliberate. I just can't seem to put the finger on why I feel like that because I should like this. In the words of the legendary George Costanza: "It's not you, it's me."
- Simon Thibaudeau
I was not all that impressed with McFaul's previous EP and I said so. Everytime he stretched his range outside the singer/songwriter format, he failed to keep me interested. Well, it appears that nothing has changed. Differently than on the EP, it is not the electronic arrangements that bother me, simply his choices in terms of vocal and musical arrangements. Prime example of this is the opening track where he clearly pushes his voice way past any enjoyable mark and the music is just plain boring. When he does stay conservative and relies on the nice fingerstyle guitar without pushing his voice, he truly shines,. I just wish he would recognize his strengths and play accordingly.
- Simon Thibaudeau
I am not familiar at all with Motorpsycho's career but from what I understand they like to explore a lot of genres. Well "Black hole / Black canvas" certainly qualifies as a very diverse record, as diverse as I have heard. Once upon a time, it was an admired quality for band to be diverse. I mean, the Rolling Stones went from country to blues to rockabilly on a single record and nobody ever complained. Nowadays, bands that do that are accused of being "unfocused" or some other crap. Well Motorpsycho are Krautrock, stoner-rock, even a bit post-punk and I love every minute of it. What is even better is the fact that it all makes sense because they have a great sense of melody and they use it with consistency throughout their explorations. Great record.
- Simon Thibaudeau
Last year Acid House Kings did a nice little promotion when they launched their album "Sing along with..." by putting a karaoke spin on it. Now they've released an EP where five different artists interpret songs from the album. They got Magnus Carlsson (Weeping Willows) doing "Will you love me in the morning?" which isn't that different from the original. Les Trés Bien Ensemble render "My heart is a stone" in French and Lasse Lindh does a cool Swedish version of "That's because you drive me". Montt Mardié and Don Lennon with their own characteristic vocals both manage to make "Do what you wanna do" and "Tonight is forever" into their 'own' songs. Acid House Kings have managed to get a bunch of excellent artists to cover their songs, so if you like "Sing along..." and, like me, love cover versions, I think you have to buy this EP. Hopefully there'll be a volume two!
- Simon Tagestam
David & the Citizens have released two full length LPs and a handful of EPs on Sweden's Adrian Recordings. This EP, their first American release, pulls songs from these previous releases into a short and sweet collection. A few of their best numbers are here, "Now she sleeps in a box in the good soil of Denmark" is a curious sing-along song despite the dark lyrics, and "Big chill" (featuring Mattias Alkberg of Bear Quartet and Mattias Alkberg BD) is invigorating as all get out. "Lets not fall apart" showcases frontman David Fridlund's uncanny grasp of melody. Their songs are always an intriguing contrast between lyrics that border on suicidal despair and bouncy melodies brimming with joy. These aren't all the songs I would have picked to showcase their strengths - there are none of their slower beauties, and some of their most compelling numbers like "Song against life" (now there's a theme for a sing-along-song!) are missing, while a few of those included ("Grey coated morning," which was an early single but is hardly their best) might be better left off. All in all, though, it's a fine introduction to a wonderful band for those who don't want to spring for the full catalogue and build their own favorite song playlists.
- Nancy Baym
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
This is quite a pleasant album, with some admirable songs on it. At its best, it reminds me of Wilco ("Devil when you cry"), Tom Waits ("Sweden slow"), and a MOR David & the Citizens ("Angels fable"). What I don't really like about "Sirkus" is that, unlike Jeff Tweedy, Tom Waits and David Fridlund, the singer's (Gustav) voice is way too uncharacteristic and - to be blunt - plain. I prefer a more personal touch than the Jeff Buckley-light vocals that Gustav and the Seasick Sailors offer. Other than that, this is a solid release, worth checking out if you like your singers to sing "properly".
- Simon Tagestam
I'm going to be honest with you readers: the first time I listened to this Danish duo's latest release, it scared the hell out of me and I liked it. Singer Thomas Nygaard's baritone vocals (which are slightly reminiscent of Olympia, WA's very own Calvin Johnson) and guitar work are more dark and sinister this time around as the music takes a post-punk turn. Karsten Bagge's drumming fluctuates between intense and soothing, much like Nygaard's guitar. The album starts off on a seemingly quiet note with "Life part II" and builds up very nicely during "Nightlife". "Have fun dying" just makes it that much creepier to listen to.
- Navy Keophan
For me, "Her Majesty" is foremost one of my all-time favourite albums (by The Decemberists). Secondly, it's who James Bond works for. Thirdly, it's an uninteresting band out of southern Sweden whose past singles failed to impress me to such an extent that I'd rather cut off my hands just to prevent me from picking up any of their full length albums. "Memory and loss" is Her Majesty's third album, and perhaps they'll be third time lucky, but most likely I'm not the only one who's bored by this sleepy rock that makes The Soundtrack of Our Lives come across as the most subversive rock band on the planet. Yes, now and then Her Majesty sound like if TSOOL but minus whatever TSOOL have got that makes people like them. This is nothing but average dull rock - keep it away from the kids, if not we might end up with a handless generation.
- Simon Tagestam
There's been a lot of talk about how former Popsicle front man Andreas Mattsson, who after Popsicle's demise has spent some of his time writing songs for dodgy pop acts, now is going on tour with critically acclaimed 'noise artists' Tape, and how his first solo album starts with a five-minute instrumental piece (how innovative!). Me, I've been a Popsicle fan as long as I can remember (thanks to my sisters), and with last year's compilation "The good side of Popsicle" my interest in them was suddenly rekindled. "The lawlessness..." is obviously a blessing then, especially since it almost sounds like a straightforward follow up to Popsicle's last album (and their masterpiece) "Stand up and testify". Mattsson's voice, (sad) lyrics, and (gorgeous) melodies haven't changed that much at all – and thank god for that!
- Simon Tagestam
Their self-titled LP was one of my favorites from last year and I was expecting the same from them in their latest release. How I could have missed them twice on their tour last year is beyond me. Anyways, seven new songs, five from their "Destroy" 7-inch and four from the "Survive in the city" 7-inch release (both of which are now out of print). Early '80s punk as thrown through the L.A. buzzsaw (i.e. Germs, Black Flag, etc...) is their sound. The seven new songs, such as "Hollywood smile" and "Empty head," all have the energy of their previous releases and will keep the kids pogoing, but I feel like they're missing something. Lead singer Otto's vocals are much more snottier and snarling. The songs from the 7-inches, such as "Destroy" and "We're Blank," are more to my liking. The untitled track reminds me of Agent Orange's "Bloodstains (darkness version)", only more sped up. This is a keeper.
- Navy Keophan
Black Audio
David & The Citizens
The Fine Arts Showcase
Gustav and the Seasick Sailors
Halph
Andreas Mattsson