Tag: Reviews
Everything I've reviewed this week has been surprisingly excellent, but this disc is way too boring for my sensitive ears. There are six tracks on this EP but I can only find one proper song ("Lofi referee" which is quite a fine pop song, I must say), the rest of them are all nice and cute but way too fragmented and they sound more like song ideas than actual songs. The Mexicos did some super alright electronic versions of two Håkan Hellström songs earlier this year, but that fact only makes this EP more of a disappointment I'm afraid.
- Simon Tagestam
Most people I know wouldn't make it all the way through a disc as somber and musically sparse as this debut by Danish duo Camilla Munck and Moogie Johnson, but I suppose I'm a musical masochist. I like to suffer for other people's art, and all I ask is that it stir my emotions sincerely and have enough going on to hold my interest when I'm in one of my receptive moods. "Unlike you" bobs and drifts uncertainly toward that goal, and JUST makes it over the rope. That's mostly due to Camilla's unabashedly emotional, upfront singing (there's no denying the genuineness of her potently sad delivery) and the weird snatches of distorted keyboards and other stuff here and there that add sort of an alien atmosphere (though the primary accompaniment is simple acoustic guitar). Some tunes such as "The sky", "Ease me" and "Lilies" are merely quietly pretty and melodic. Others dive straight to the murky depths like "Sister Mine" which really creates a funereal atmosphere, but I love the blend of organ and acoustic guitar. And it takes a genuinely focused/emotionally committed artist to conjure the utterly spooky vibes of "Ghostdance" and "For my sweetheart", which out-Low the lowest of, uh, Low, this group's nearest comparison. Nothing here to rev you up for the hardships of life, but as a soundtrack to same, this is often gripping stuff.
- Kevin Renick
Very promising demo from a young band with obvious Riot Grrl influences. The music reminds me of early Pretty Girls Make Graves, mixed up with some Candysuck. I'd be really excited to get a chance to see these guys live, as I have a feeling the recording doesn't show their true potential. A couple of more years under the belt and these guys might be the next "new exciting Swedish band" to tour the US and get the mainstream music press get all ga-ga for the go-go.
- Mari Kerola
Alf sings in Swedish and makes charming pop songs. His last album "Augustibrev", from 2004, is a little gem that deserved more recognition (and sales). "Kunde vart jag" sounds a lot like the best songs from "Augustibrev", which is of course great, just great. Hopefully Alf will soon be propelled into the lush stardom that he so rightly deserves. You can have a look at the annoying video to the song here.
- Simon Tagestam
Absolutely horrid. This sounds like a bunch of white-boy trustafarians got together in their dorm room, dug out a bong and started playing with the fancy synthesizers mom and dad bought them. Kinda like the worst possible parts of Pink Floyd vocals (with a heavy Finnish accent) backed by some annoying jam-band.
- Mari Kerola
As you may or may not know, Jenny Wilson is the first signing to The Knife's record label. Although a bit obvious, this doesn't sound too different from The Knife. This is no bad thing. It has more a pop sheen and slightly less screechy vocals, which has always been my main criticism of The Knife. Jenny Wilson deserves her own attention, and with a bit of luck may even eclipse the success of The Knife overseas. As her records have more instrumentation than The Knife I imagine that live, she truly shines.
- Nick Levine
First of all I'd like to recommend the Danish band The Blue Van to anyone who is really down with garage rock and just can't wait to hear a new band playing this type of music. Personally I think I've heard enough of new 60's sounding garage rock bands to make me wait another twenty years or so until I can start appreciating this genre all over again. I won't listen to The Blue Van ever again though, if I can help it, but I must admit that their music is a bit better than most of today's so called garage bands, and live they put on a great show. I just wish every second new band that I hear wouldn't play boring sleazy rock'n'roll.
- Simon Tagestam
Decent, but ultimately unremarkable indierock. I can't pinpoint anything about it that bothers me, but at the same time I'm having serious trouble finding anything to commend as well. It's just not very memorable. If we used a number-based rating system, this would be a solid 5 out of 10.
- Avi Roig
Yet another female-fronted band from the wilds of Sweden, Dexter's Moon is a septet led by vocalist Jenny Maria Kellerman, along with Emilie Lindkvist, brothers Martin and Bjorn Insulander, Jennifer Pope and Simon Stalenhag. The 8 songs that make up their debut, "Come rain", create an admirably sustained mood of quiet introspection and acoustic guitar-based melancholy. Jenny sings in a very shy manner, as though she's a bit hesitant to reveal such personal things in a recording but can't help herself. This is closer to old-style folk than anything else; only a few songs have minimal percussion. "Every cloud has its silver lining/Now I'm about to cloud up and rain all over you," sings Jenny somberly in the title cut. The forecast definitely calls for overcast skies here. Although some evocative sax lends interest to "In the end" and piano adorns "Voodoo girl" and "Rock and roll lullabye", most of the music here is simple acoustic guitar and that sad little voice. The best song is "(Fucked up) Love story", which has already gotten the band a fair amount of attention; it offers a subtle waltz beat and real lyrical bite in its portrayal of a clearly less-than-inspiring relationship. "This kind of love we're making is like a spider's web/We're two flies caught in it until we're dead." Yessir, makes you wanna dive right into the ol' dating pool, doesn't it? Although the music here is pretty and I found it sometimes poignant, it doesn't really provide much in the way of cathartic release. It's kind of repetitious; in other words, and you can tell the group's still finding their way. But they have the talent to do so, and with a little more energy and diversity next time out, they should be quite capable of increasing the emotional reach and impact of their sound.
- Kevin Renick
I'm always intrigued when I get to listen to some new Scandinavian hip-hop, but most of the time I'm let down, and even though these five tracks are alright, they're nothing compared to the "proper" American commercial hip-hop it so cleverly emulates. It also, unfortunately, sound a little bit dated (like it came from the mid 90s). Solid vocal delivery and ok beats and samples though.
- Simon Tagestam
This is Melpo Mene's latest EP, and it's really good stuff. It can't be denied that it sounds sometimes too much like Elliot Smith, but I don't personally hold that against Melpo Mene, the songs are too good to take such petty details into account. Give this a listen and drink some wine, why don't you, and all of your problems will disappear (for at least 14 minutes), I promise.
- Simon Tagestam
Let's start this review with a confession: When I first heard this album I was absolutely blown away with it - the glockenspiel, the Elvis Presley-balladry and the girl-group sounds just knocked me off my feet (note: I LOVE The Ronettes). I ended up writing a review calling this album a "classic". Now after having listened to it a bit more, I've realized that half of the songs are very good, the rest of them are just... good. So there you have it, sorry for the confusion.
- Simon Tagestam
Annie performed her debut London gig at this incredibly plush venue on one of the first stifling hot nights of the year. After a smattering of DJ appearances earlier in the year, Annie's first London live performance was well anticipated. Although, only billed as the support to St. Etienne, the venue was packed to the rafters by the time Annie hit the stage. Accompanied by a DJ who introduced her by playing a Blondie record, Annie was clad in a down to earth floaty white top and black jeans. This non-pretentious appearance acted as a subtle sign that Annie is destined the masses, and not just for the style and fashion press. In this sense, it's hard to understand how her debut album "Anniemal" has failed to crossover at present. In her performance we are treated to gems such as the perfect pop of "Chewing gum" and "Heartbeat", Pitchfork's favourite song of last year. The live airing of "Chewing gum" featured a cute exchange between Annie and her DJ, via use of a vocoder. Alongside the standout songs on "Anniemal", a couple of new songs are played including one featuring the repeated line "Will you marry me," accompanied by some cheeky finger pointing at the crowd. Ultimately, these songs are dance music with an added pop sensibility. Tonight the people wanted to dance, something which the absurdly busy nature of the venue did ill afford
- Nick Levine
This is not an album but a compilation of EPs (+ one unreleased songs), but it feels exactly like an album, and an absolutely amazing album that is! When I first heard El Perro Del Mar, I wasn't sure about her music, but after a couple of weeks living with this album and it sort of turning into a pet, I don't even wish it upon my worse enemy to miss out on her. Her quiet, melodic and folky songs are the perfect soundtrack for summer days in the park, and also summer nights in the dark (doing decent things, of course, I am no advocate of lewdness!). That's the deal with great music, I guess- it suits every occasion.
- Simon Tagestam
Two tracks of well-produced pop-rock with an ever-so-slight melancholic feel. The vocal refrain on "The waterfront" drives my wife crazy with all the oohs and ba-ba-bahs, but I think it's actually quite clever and kinda catchy. Anything that inspires a reaction that strong is worth noting. Anyhow, tbis demo isn't edgy enough to appeal to my tastes, but I can't deny that they do a good job with the style.
- Avi Roig
Munck//Johnson
Dexter's Moon
El Perro Del Mar