Favorita
s/t
Popsicle Recordings

Apparently "[falling] foul of record company politics" (according to Popsicle's webpage) in 1997, Favorita have only now had their album released, 12 years after its recording. I'm sure there are better and more accurate versions of this story on the Internet somewhere, but I'm not here to do an exposé on the cruel world of the music industry, rather to briefly blather on about Favorita's self-titled release. "Favorita" has more in common with the Manic Street Preachers' early efforts than with many of their Swedish contemporaries, and this is both a blessing and a curse. While the Brit-pop shimmer and Pavement-esque indie approach are competent and nostalgia-inducing, there is a slight lack of consistency on the album. Songs like "Seven comforts", "Well, it's only pain", and "Surprisingly cynical crossword" almost effortlessly remind us that the 90s were not some black hole for artistic and musical endeavors, but Favorita can't always keep up the pace. Had their career been allowed to flourish, I feel that "Favorita" would be that "fun first record" that friends would suggest I purchase after having already oriented myself with a stronger sophomore album. As it is, it's better than fine, and made more worthwhile knowing that you are "sticking it to The Man" and the record label who shot down Favorita all those years ago.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson