Listen to Norway profiles Katzenjammer ahead of a busy summer which will see them touring internationally and releasing their album "Le pop" in the US (on June 29 via ): http://www.listento.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2010060910043788814373
I plan to attend the upcoming show in Seattle later this month.
KameraSweden's Kamera have a damned fine grasp of what made the songwriting of the 1980s so compelling - even now, bands like Duran Duran and The Cure feel present and important, almost a generation removed from the strange time that spawned them. "Disconnected" displays the group's pop smarts and their ability to put this gift into practice. Unfortunately, this approach isn't always so rewarding. "Resurrection" could easily have been written in the 80s, though it sometimes feels that this was Kamera's only goal. The end result is a competent, well-produced, but underwhelming, and too often formulaic, 1980s inspired album. It's good, it really is, but it's nothing new. Definitely worth a listen, if only to see if you're willing to meet the suggested retail price.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
The PerishersWhile I have nothing but respect for our dear editor-in-chief, and find myself agreeing with Avi's sentiments far more than not, I personally think "Victorious" is a pretty surprising record. Not evolving all that noticeably from their sound on "Let there by morning", The Perishers are one of the few bands whose sound is tempered just right, thus rendering what would usually be a 'stagnant rut' or 'inability to progress' for any other band to feel just fine, a welcome return, even. Songs like "Almost pretty", one of the most depressing, yet wonderful songs I've heard in quite some time, and "Come out of the shade" overshadow some of the other tracks on the album, but there isn't anything on this album that approaches the territory of 'poor craftsmanship'. Solid throughout with moments of brilliance and innovation peppering this album with more than enough occasions of intense beauty to make this record one worthy of owning in it's physical form.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
Solid singer/songwriter material that excels on upbeat numbers such as the opening tune "Darling". The slower material gets bogged down a bit in AOR territory, but is never without its charms. Even at her worst, there's plenty to like about Karin. Unfortunately, she seems to lack the extra something special that would elevate her above the pack of other similar artists. That's really a shame because I get the feeling that the glossy major-label recording is to blame. All the edges have been worn so dull there's barely any emotion left. Just like the suburbs, it's safe and comforting, but predictable and boring. Hopefully this talent won't keep going to waste.
- Avi Roig
I wasn't really sure what to expect from this release. The only time I've heard of The Perishers was glancing through the liner notes for the Lost Patrol's "Song about running away". Doing some more research, I discovered that one of their songs is going onto the soundtrack of that trend-o-rama Fox show "The O.C." and a couple of the members was also involved in that Cult of Luna side-project Koma. Using my barely-functioning brain (thanks a lot, college), I didn't really know where they would fall in the spectrum.
"Let There Be Morning" is this Umeå, Sweden-based group's second effort. On the opener, "Weekends," lead singer and guitarist Ola Klüft's voice mournfully waits for the two-day break at the end of the work week. Klüft, being backed by Martin Gustafson (keyboards/backing vocals), Pehr Åström (bass) and Thomas Hedlund (drums), lets his voice handle every lyric as if it were a piece of porcelain. His vocals never weigh down the songs but provide the right amount of emotion for every song. The subtle guitar work, combined with the keyboards, creates a sound similar to that of Coldplay and Travis but with more of an "indie" edge to them. "Trouble sleeping," which will appear on vol. 2 of the soundtrack for "The O.C.", is the highlight of the album. Klüft's voice glides over the instruments while the guitar and piano quietly play off one another. Lyric-wise, the songs aren't that hard to decipher. Simple, straight-to-the-point stuff point that won't rack your brain.
- Navy Keophan
