Tag: Reviews
It's been a looooong time since I was a lil' punkrocker, so I felt ambivalent when I got this disc and put it in my car stereo. It was a nice surprise to find out that I actually enjoyed this. They aren't as pop as Randy, nor are they all that heavy or crusty, but they've got enough hooks and energy to get by. Sure, it's a bit cliched at times, especially in the lyrics, but if you don't already expect that with most punk these days, you're probably not listening very carefully. I'm leaving this in the car for guilty pleasure listening when the wife's not around.
- Avi Roig
This isn't exactly the sort of stuff I usually listen to, but get a few beers in me and I bet I'd get into it. They claim to be the kings of "hillbilly punkrock n' roll" for what it's worth and I'm not about to dispute it. I certainly can't think of anyone challenging 'em for the throne. Anyhow, it's a decent fun record, even if songs tend to blend together a bit. I'd like to hear them mix it up more in the rhythm department and maybe have the guitars play a little less sometimes. I'd probably would have loved this if I had heard it when I was younger and more of a punkrocker.
- Avi Roig
I was about the shut this off after the first verse when it suddenly opened up into a huge chorus and I had to reevaluate my thoughts. These guys remind me a lot of Neil Young, both in musical style and also in the way that I really cannot deal with the vocals. The songs and playing are both good and the recording has a really nice live feel, so I'd say these guys have potential.
- Avi Roig
I was almost to write this off as a sophomore slump because it didn't grab my attention right away, but I'm glad I gave it another chance. Marit's strength has always been her ability to write deceptively simple, catchy pop tunes and this album is no exception. They sound innocent and unobtrusive at first, but then they sink their claws in you and won't let go. As for the new major label affiliation, that hasn't changed much except for better production values.
- Avi Roig
As soon as I put this on my wife said, "is that The Hellacopters?" So yeah, they're not gonna win any points for originality, but I must admit that they do what they do pretty darn well. Whereas most wannabe hard rock bands emphasize the 'hard' part, these guys remember to play up the power-pop end of things, even covering a classic Cheap Trick song ("He's a whore"). They've got the talent part down, now they just need a little more personality.
- Avi Roig
For once I get a record that is pretty much exactly what I expected. Take a little bit from each of Mattias' previous bands (Hederos & Hellberg, The Hellacopters, Diamond Dogs) and you'd get this solo debut. It's never quite as stark and despairing as H&H, nor does it rock as hard as the other stuff, but it does show strong influence both sides. I think it actually tends more towards the mellow side, with a bit more songs spotlight guitar and vocals as opposed to uptempo, full-band rockers. I listened to this a bit on my vacation not too long ago and it made for great road music.
- Avi Roig
This record perfectly balances the aspirations of art, folk and rock. Great music, great lyrics, great everything. I really had no idea what to expect with this, but I was totally impressed. Parts remind of Fireside's "Elite", others bring to mind Norrland indiefolk stuff like Isolation Years. David Sandström, ex-drummer of Refused? Naah, it's just David Sandström, successful solo artist. Definitely another one of the best records I've heard this year.
- Avi Roig
This record falls squarely into the category called 'not my thing.' There's some okay melodies here and there, but I really just can't handle slacker indie rock. Bands like The Bear Quartet pull it off because they are amazingly creative and adventurous, but Speedmarket Avenue is no BQ. Pass.
- Avi Roig
The song "It must hurt now" begins with the line "I don't give a shit" and it doesn't come off like a ruse. I think I listened to this two or three times in a row when I first got it. Simply put, it rules. Snotty, high energy punk-rock, exactly the way it should be done. 15 songs in a bit over 25 minutes, every moment counts. 'Nuff said.
- Avi Roig
Solid power-pop akin to bands like David & the Citizens or maybe Peter, Björn and John. It's good, but I kind of wish the vocals were a bit stronger. Frontman Niklas Gustafsson definitely sounds better when he lets loose more such as on songs like "Lovestruck", but when he doubletracks his voice the performance suffers. I much rather hear energy and passion than a note-perfect take.
- Avi Roig
This is normally the kind of stuff I despise. When a band so achingly tries to recreate the sounds of yesteryear, classic soul in this case, it usually just makes me angry. Why not just form a cover band if you're not going to add anything new to the genre? Anyhow, this keyboard, bass & drums trio isn't so bad. You can tell they've taken pains to sound "authentic" with the classic organ sounds and recording style, but they really should be paying more attention to their songwriting. Cool tones and whatever, but enough hooks or dynamics. Probably a lot more fun live than on record.
- Avi Roig
For me, the best LDOA album is "Angel youth" and I'm not sure if they'll ever top it. "If you lose it" is stronger than the last album "Ascend to the stars", but it still doesn't totally grab me. I'm thinking that the stripped down production courtesy of Mathias Oldén from Logh doesn't suit the band best. I absolutely love Logh, but I'm not loving this. Anyhow, I shouldn't be bitching - it's still a good record, even if it's not their best.
- Avi Roig
I'm really impressed by this record. I've liked everything I've heard from the Tiger so far, but this really raises the bar. The material here has much more depth and personality than his previous work and the mood tends towards the somber and dark. It's obvious that he's really been developing his craft. The production is more heavy-handed on this album, too. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I just know that when I saw him play "The war between us" live solely accompanied by guitar, it was quite powerful. The studio version is great, but it lacks the emotional impact of the sparser arrangement.
- Avi Roig
Just like people, bands change. It took me a long time to accept the new Weeping Willows sound debuted on their last album "Into the light". Once I got over the shock of change, I discovered a great pop album. Being said, this new albums continues very much in the same almost 80s-pop/rock style, but I think I still need to let it grow on me. There's three or four songs (including the single "Stairs") that are immediately appealing, but I'm undecided on the rest. Good, not great.
- Avi Roig