Finally, some new feature-length content! Check out Simon Thibaudeau's report from seeing Norwegian experimental/jazz combo Petter o Hanna live in Montreal: [click here]
Tag: Reviews
Pacific!
Reveries
EMI
Pacific has already built up quite a fan base on the strength of the singles they've released so far. Fans have come to expect two general styles from the duo. There's the Italo Disco flashback best represented by most recent single "Number one" and, in contrast, the beach-bum chill-out of tracks like "Sunset Blvd". The Göteborg duo shifts between these sounds effortlessly, delivering standouts in both genres on their full length debut "Reveries". Nothing here matches the strength of the previous singles and EP tracks, but those songs make up half of the record, so that's not really a big problem. There are times when the sleepy side of the duo's sound becomes a bit too sleepy ("Sunrise" and "Hold me"), but the album has a certified classic in "Hot lips", already a deserved success. There's a general airy charm to Pacific's music, even as they ratchet up the tempo for the more dance oriented tracks, and this definitely sets them apart from similar-minded synthpop groups. And, while the record as a whole may not be as consistent as the singles would lead you to believe, there is no doubt that "Reveries" will find a home on many a beachgoer's playlist this summer.
- Nick James
Frode Haltli
Passing images
ECM
It is not often that you hear the accordion taking front and centre on an avant-garde, or any record for that matter, except if you are into traditional European folk music of some kind. Frode Haltli, a classically trained accordionist, takes the instrument out of its usual, to me at least, usage and brings the instrument to a place I can appreciate. The disc borders on New Age in several instances, which is bothersome, but also has a definite spacial quality that is very difficult to knock. While the accordion takes a lot of sonic space, the viola is the star, bringing melody and most of the high points of the album. The accordion definitely provides the glue, with its ability to play single notes and chords at the same time, that makes this record go forward and because the record is so musically sparse, it provides most of the substance too. This is a record that wouldn't be so out of place on Tzadik's composer series. Only if it could lose some of the New Age sonorities...
- Simon Thibaudeau
Antenna reviews the new Red Harvest remix/rarity collection "The red line archives": https://www.antenna.nu/?p=57
Paper
An object
Novoton
Can Novoton Records do any wrong? Paper's "An object" and all its wondrous lo-fi post-punk magic is yet another indication that, in fact, Novoton may be the best record label in Sweden at the moment. A shadowy effort, Paper create a storm of string-thin guitars, bass riffs and analog synths, punctuated by the dark vocal delivery and the assured drum patterns - and its something to behold. Like the missing step between Joy Division and New Order, "An object" carefully captures both of these influences and then proceeds to twist them around the more raucous post-punk of the later 80s, all without sacrificing the individuality of the compositions themselves despite all of these reference points. "To her" should be the opening track to a late 80s cinematic effort, "Out of it into it" is a powerful thesis for the album to come, and closer "Ideal plane" is a strangely serene, beautiful ending to an album that seems most comfortable observing frantic destruction, but this peculiar ending works; an introspective close to one of the best new post-punk albums that I've heard in a long time.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
Pestida
Surface parallel
Around Your Neck
Another solid member of the Around Your Neck family, home also to Johnny Superhero, Pestida feel like an uncovered relic from that box of albums you bought in the 1990s. Like Johnny Superhero's "Choices", "Surface parallel" feels like a beginning, akin to their 90s influences instead of synthesizing them into a 'redefined' sound. This recalls the beginning of the 'emo' and post-hardcore scenes, wonderfully oblivious to the years and years of music that has been released since Pavement's "Brighten the corners" or the efforts of bands like Mineral and Knapsack. This album is not for everyone: the vocal delivery could easily catch some ears as too quirky or off key, the songwriting's solidarity with the bands of the mid- to late-90s might seem outdated to some, but if these obstacles can be overcome, "Surface parallel" has much to offer. If you need more evidence, find the track "Another circle" and listen for yourself. It will make you miss those flannel shirts you donated to the Salvation Army and long for the nights you spent as a teenager staring up at your ceiling, listening to Sunny Day Real Estate, missing someone.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
Supersilent
8
Rune Grammofon
Supersilent, on "8", introduces a spaciousness that wasn't there before. The improvisations on here are mostly drum and synthesizer-based and use dead air as much as possible and as little a traditional structure as possible. While it might resemble like a cacophonous pile of randomness, there is a research in there, a lot of research in fact. Nothing is out of place and everything moves toward a common particularly loud moment. The progressions are slow moving, but relentless. On the whole the record is quite enjoyable, and if it wasn't for the digital qualities of some of the synth sounds, I would have enjoyed this a lot more than I do. Definitely a record to consider for fans of Tuxedo Moon, Port Royal and other experimental outfits like them.
- Simon Thibaudeau
TIAC
Overstaying the welcome
Hybris
Balancing itself somewhere between over-accessibility and kitschy electronica, "Overstaying the welcome" is an undeniably fun album, but it's hard to give a general impression of the record overall. "Catalogue of failures" is an overabundance of 80s clichés and synths, wonderfully wound around solid songwriting, but the following track "Piss on you" is rather disappointing, especially the lyrics. Imagine New Order on a drug binge (probably uppers) in Berlin deciding to record an album in a weekend... and you're somewhere in the realm of TIAC's "Overstaying the welcome". It's a lot of fun, like I said, but there's an obvious expiration date to this enjoyment.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
PopMatters reviews Lykke Li's "Youth novels": https://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/56395/lykke-li-youth-novels/
Electronic music webzine Soundscaping has posted a review of the new Sten Ove Toft (Ryfylke) album "Lit de Parade": https://www.soundscaping.net/reviews/163/sten-ove-toft-lit-de-parade-roggbif
Lamont
The golden daze
self-released
Distributed for (free) download on Swedish torrent site The Pirate Bay as well as the band's web site, "The golden daze" tries to be glam pop for the masses, crafted to capture the listener at first listen. Being Malmö based, the band emulates its more successful neighbors, namely The Ark and Melody Club. In this it is successful, but only as an emulation. Despite stabs at punk-laced electro and (oddly enough) swing on the title track, there's not enough originality here to distinguish the band from others. Forgettable as it may be, however, it can also be pretty fun. All tracks are very radio friendly, though none are likely to become radio hits. The production is the album's strongest suit. Aside from a great turn by The Ark's Ola Salo, who gives "Rather do it" (a minor hit in 2006) the kind of behemoth sound that we're used to from these sorts of bands, the rest of the album is produced by Oskar Humlebo (aka Moto Boy). He drenches the band in serpentine rhythms and new-wave synths, which helps to disguise the fact that you're not going to remember many of these songs in a few months. Still, for fans of the over-the-top Malmö based pop sound (like me), there's plenty to like here. Unfortunately, there's just not enough to love.
- Nick James
Paper Thin Walls on DiskJokke: https://www.paperthinwalls.com/singlefile/item?id=1451
Aversionline on Swedish black-metal act Kill: https://www.aversionline.com/blahg/2008/03/25/kill-inverted-funeral-cd/
Sad Day For Puppets
Just like a ghost EP
HaHa Fonogram
This is the debut release from the Stockholm-based band. It's released on Radio LXMBRG's Haha Fonogram Records, and produced by Alex Svenson-Metés of the same band. Musically, this couldn't be further apart from Radio LXMBRG. "Annie says" is reminiscent is one of The Concretes' more tender moments, whilst the rest of the EP brings to mind eighties indie pop bands like The Cocteau Twins and the long-forgotten, but rather excellent, Voice Of The Beehive. The dreamy melodic sounds transport the listener back to a more innocent time when shonky anorak-clad bands genuinely believed they could change the world. With this release, Sad Day For Puppets are very well placed to capitalise on the micro indie-pop phenomenon currently doing the rounds on MySpace.
- Nick Levine