MP3: The Fine Arts Showcase - Chemical girl
The Fine Arts Showcase narrowly missed out on being included in my top year-end top 10 (to be published tomorrow), but they did end up on two staff lists and the attention is well-deserved. "Radiola" is a fine album, full of heartfelt, honest lyrics and beautiful melodies. I suppose the first single "Chemical girl" is as good a place to start as any - there's quite a few excellent tracks worth spotlighting, but I'll trust the wisdom of the artist and label to put their best foot forward. As I've said before, it's rare to hear this sort of frank drug talk from a Swedish artist, outside of the usual sad rock'n'roll clichés. That fact alone separates TFAS from many of the also-rans, but it wouldn't make a lick of difference if the music wasn't good enough to support it. It is.
The Fine Arts Showcase - Chemical girl