MP3: Abalone Dots - Under the rain

Abalone Dots are a lot like the Swedish version of the Dixie Chicks. Pleasant to the ears (and eyes), but overall, entirely unremarkable. There's nothing wrong with their acoustic pop country sound, it's just not that exciting. Their singing and picking is competent and well-executed. I certainly can't fault the songwriting - the band's self-penned material (including co-writing help on a few tracks from Marit Bergman) is fine. Even the cover tunes, a mainstay of many country records, are well done and fit nicely. The problem is that there's simply no personality, no spark. They take turns sharing lead vocal duties, but I'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart, let alone pick a favorite. Even a guest appearance by Kristofer Åström (see today's mp3 selection) does little to improve the proceedings. Disappointing.

Abalone Dots - Under the rain (ft. Kristofer Åström)