The Chrysler
First blood EP
Flora & Fauna
Things have been looking up in a big way for this sincere and prolific Swedish band, especially with the generally warm reception given the US release of "Failures and sparks" last year. Now comes this modest little EP, which features the intense track "First blood" from the "Cold war classic" CD and three new tracks. "I've had it up to here/It won't last another year/I've had a good time/But the good times made me blind" is a pretty impactful lyric from that first song, especially with the close-mic'd vocals this group always deliver. Of the newer tunes, "Tonight I don't sleep" is a low-key charmer that features melodic, processed whistling and minimal guitar accompaniment. I like the gentle delivery this group is known for, even though you wish they'd kick it up a notch sometimes.. "Cold war classic" is more uptempo, but the percussion is barely audible; what you get is mostly vocal harmonies and some interesting metaphorical lyrics. And "Changing of the guards" is a very sparse, but compelling cover of an old Dylan tune, which offers nice muted keyboards, strong lead vocals and the added interest of having the Chrysler's distinguished brand of Swedish melancholy applied to Dylan's narrative detail. There's a kind of demo quality to this EP, but that unique Chrysler sensitivity and vocal clarity shine through.
- Kevin Renick