Label: Series Two Records
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The other day, while walking down the street, I caught myself with one of the songs from Peace In Our Time's debut album "A glimpse of happiness" in my head. Given all the background noise of everyday life here in Berlin, that's quite a compliment to give. Still, I've had a hard time to "connect" with the album's 15 songs. Aesthetically, the acoustic strumming, the vintage drum-computer beats, and the effortless singing by one-man bandleader Johan Regner easily appeal to anyone who likes a modern take on "classic" indiepop. It's the content that made the difference for me, though: While Johan obviously has quite a talent for producing catchy melodies (and seemingly is a very productive songwriter as well), the lyrics are a bit too direct and unimaginative at times. I might sound harsh to criticize someone's lyrics like this but, as always in pop-music, this can only be a matter of personal taste. For me, the record's lyrical deficiencies make it shift from potential hit to background music, which is a shame given all the melodic potential it contains. I'm left hoping that maybe Peace In Our Time's next record will lyrically be on par with this promising tunefullness. But then again, maybe Johan's lyrical style just isn't mine, who knows.
- Arnulf Köhncke
8
Crafting tracks that have a contemplative playfulness, Springfactory, featuring Peter Gunnarson of Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, cleverly play out the tension between bubbly, 60s-esque songwriting, and a more careful, deliberative approach. "Swedish folk highschool" revels in its simplistic attack, given weight and complexity through layered instrumentation, and the clear, almost cutting aspect of Lina Cullemark's endearing voice. The bass line for "As winter gives ways to spring", catchy as it is, betraying the group's fascination with pop melodies, already gives an implication of the intricate, shifting lines the song will follow. While these songs would have been rather good had they decided to keep a more basic mode of delivery, they are elevated outside of the realm of the verse-chorus-verse-chorus pop song formula, given a new life as a song you have to pay attention to. There aren't merely shiny portraits that can be understood on the first listen, but threaten to reveal new sides of their explorations as more attention is paid to the tracks. Happy without being saccharine, clever without being pretentious, Springfactory is a summer's breeze tempered by autumn's approach.
- Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
8
Offhand, Custer, Ohio, USA, springs to mind. This was likely unintentional and fortunately, very few expect a band to be defined by their name, at least not completely. "States" is an EP, and included on the disc is their previous EP release "Leaves". Two for one isn't a bad deal. Throughout the record, jangly guitar, reverb-laden vocals, and somber lyrics make for a sound not unlike the UK's Field Mice. In fact, the title track could be straight off a Sarah Records disc. Unlike the Field Mice however, who are known for dipping into a kind of beautiful comatose tempo, the disc keeps up a steady pace, with some clever hooks and a well-balanced indiepop mentality. Oh! Custer, with only two members, has conjured up a solid, energetic record. Fans of The Legends and Comet Gain should take notice and give this a spin.
- Paul Bredenberg
Peace In Our Time
Springfactory
