Album - You're a Wasteland, Honey. There's a tried and tested checklist for many Swedish artists to follow:
1. Write surprisingly chirpy songs that completely defy the depressingness of the seemingly endless autumn/winter months. 2. Twee the shit out of all songs by including more instruments than the London Symphonic. 3. Overuse the English language to a weird degree to try and prove that you have a near perfect grasp of it. 4. Copy almost all elements of successful Swedish bands that have gone before.
On first listen to this album though, that does not seem to be the case. Yes, there are elements of successful bands of yore but none of them really of the Swedish variety and it's only small bits used more as a guideline than a song writing staple. I was Summer plucks bits from the 80's where good music was still allowed and not suffocated by too thicker leg warmers and over hair sprayed, twisted, knob like hair dos.
Yes, there are big band/orchestral moments throughout the album, but used sparingly and to good effect and there is a nice, eclectic mix of influences and styles that the album does not get boring or one dimensional dependant on number of listens (iTunes count thus far is 3). Dances with Wolves has a definite Nick Drake element to it, especially the intro, and has a slow burning but slight anthemic/sing along quality to it. Piss & Perfume has touches of a Neon Bible era Arcade Fire. The City reminds me of the mid naughties deluge of London bands such as The Open, Mystery Jets, The Rakes. I was a Motel room has slight undertones of Fouls and even a sup son of lighter moment Klaxons from their first effort (not there God awful second) and is a nice turn away from the singer/songwriter sound to a more bandish avenue.
Don't get me wrong there are a few weaker moments on the album but to be honest they are more than made up for with the good bits, of which there are many.
