The Chrysler
Cold War classic
Galaxy Gramophone
First the disclaimer: I'm supposed to love this album. This American release of The Chrysler's second record is on Galaxy Gramaphone, a Parasol imprint, and I'm generally a strong advocate of all things Parasol. But so help me, this is one boring CD. I'll grant that it's got clever and unusual arrangements that sound surprisingly natural and organic, but their brand of slow, tranquil soft pop never connects emotionally. In some ways, they epitomize the Swedish knack for deconstructing genres of the past (in this case sensitive sixties Donovan-esque folk pop) and reconstructing them in ways that are simultaneously familiar and brand new. In this case, though, this intellectual accomplishment isn't enough.
- Nancy Baym