Suburban Kids With Biblical Names
#3
Labrador
SKWBN's first album is a bit mellower and, to a certain extend, a more experimental affair than their previous two EPs (#1 and #2). Fortunately, it still has that Jens Lekman / Beat Happening / Jonathan Richman feel to it (quirky instrumentation and quirky lyrics where there's no shame in rhyming 'pretty' with 'Tom Petty'). This seems to be a style that tons of Swedish kids are trying to emulate at the moment (a bit like what the Strokes did to the American and British scene, but in a much smaller context, of course), but not a lot of them do it as well as SKWBN, Lekman or El Perro Del Mar (although Agent Simple and Montt Mardié are looking very promising). SKWBN haven't forgotten how to write hits either (e.g. "Noodles"), and this is in fact a very strong album that deserves all the attention it can possible get, from you, you, and you.
- Simon Tagestam