The Air Hurts When We Inhale

Kent - The Hjärta & Smärta EP
RCA Records, 2005

Just a little over six months after Du & Jag Döden Kent strikes again with an EP mainly written during their successful tent-tour. Well, one rubs his hands in delight, puts the five tracks in his playlist, blasts away the first track and then... Nada.
I'm sorry to say it but The Hjärta & Smärta is a huge disappointment. Five tracks and amongst them only one that really leaves a mark on me and that is "Amsgar & Evelyne" which is bound to be a hit. The rest are all transparent and uninspring. It's a somewhat pleasant listen through, except for the second track "Dom Som Försvann" ("Those Who Disappeared") where an awful children's choir shows it's ugly face. If Pink Floyd or Alice Cooper can't pull it off then neither can anyone else.
The opening track "Vi Mot Världen" ("Us Against The World") is as slow and colorless as a Kent song can be. Not a single line or note etches into the mind. If you asked me to hum it now, after 20 listens, I probably couldn't. The last tracks, "Flen/Paris" and "Månadens Erbjudande" ("Offer Of The Month") are almost ecually faceless. "Flen/Paris" sounds just like a mash-up between "Max 500" and "Palace & Main" and "Månadens Erbjudande" is a harmless ballad from the same corner of Jocke Berg's mind that spawned "Ett Tidsfördriv Att Dö För" ("A Pastime To Die For").
It's sad to see idols miss their mark. Again. Next time Kent; put some effort to it!

five out of ten

* * * * *

Babyshambles - Down in Albion
Rough Trade, 2005

How about I don't mention Kate Moss, crack, bar-fights and scandals in this review and focus on the album itself? Everyone good with this? Sweet.
Babyshambles has turned into a myth way before this album was even recorded, and fair enough, with Pete Doherty headlining the group you're bound to attract attention. Could the music live up to the hype? Course it can. The brilliant single "Fuck Forever" caught my attention early on. It has a nerve that I've seen many british bands sharing lately and you could easily trace footsteps from both Franz Ferdinand, Libertines, Kaiser Chiefs and even Arctic Monkeys amongst the 16 tracks this CD consists of. It may not be so fresh and so clean or even particulary innovative, but the rough edge and many powerful songs will keep this album alive probably longer than the singer himself. Of course, there are downsides. 16 songs is a lot, especially when they all sound very alike. Many could easily have been doomed to b-side hell without anyone paying a care. Such songs are "The 32 Of December" or the plain "Loyalty Song". But with tracks like the mentioned "Fuck Forever" and the opener "La Belle Et La Bete" Babyshambles deliver a solid debut. And try to enjoy it while it lasts.

seven out of ten

Stare At The Wall

The b-side to Korn's new single "Twisted Transistor" is called "Eaten Up Inside" and it surprised hell out of me. It's exactly what I've been dreaming about how Korn would sound anno 2005. It has a very heavy sound but it's not the boring kind of heavy that showed it's ugly face on Take A Look In The Mirror. It's good old Korn at their best, but with a slightly new angle. Jonathan Davis actually sings - no pretend-growl - he SINGS. And he does it so well. "Eaten Up Inside" has become a motor of my expectations that "Twisted Transistor" failed in being.

They Never Played This On The Radio

Two new reviews will come the next few days. And I can allow a little sneak-peak on my views on one of the album I'll be examining. Robbie Williams' new album Intensive Care is a very competent pop album and I've been listening to it almost all day. Like a good friend said: it's no new Sing When You're Winning, but that's far too high expectations to have. Following the release of this neat little album I've been listening to his older albums and I was surpised to find that ever his first album Life Thru A Lens is still so very good. I remember every line, every melody and it's just as good as mainstream pop ever gets.

Jens Lekman's new tour EP, simply named USA October 2005, is a little masterpiece timing in at just under 17 minutes. Two brand new songs, one cover (in japanese) and a swedish version of his classic "Maple Leaves". It's a beautiful little package and much better than the rather boring The Opposite To Hallelujah EP. Few artists today can be so heartbreakingly open with their sorrows and still manage to put a smile on your face like Jens can. Quite fantastic, it is.

Don't Look Surprised, Don't Be In Shock

Alice Cooper is in my life once again. The might trio Brutal Planet, Dragonland and Dirty Diamonds (I have to get The Eyes of Alice Cooper, I really do) have been spinning my iPod senseless today. I should also seriously consider listening to something else from his back catalogue. The thing that stops me is that it's not easy to pick out which albums to listen to when he's released around 30 of them. Dad has most of them on vinyl and CD so I could ask him for advice. Anybody have any tips?

I'll be getting Robbie Williams' latest album Intensive Care today and examine it thoroughly. It'll be interesting to see what it will be like minus Guy Chambers. I've heard from some people that it's a disappointing album but I'm keeping my chin up. It could also be great. A review should follow.

Speaking of the reviews. I've written two here now and they're going to change a little next time. I'll start with a 1-to-10-grading system instead because I felt like I couldn't give a fair grade to Playing The Angel below. It's more like a 3.7 than a 3. I hope the changes makes them better.

He's A Smooth Operator

Depeche Mode - Playing The Angel
Mute Records, 2005



Very few bands stay together for longer than 25 years. Some do, however. U2 does. Rolling Stones has. Oasis probably won't. When a band do stay alive and kicking for 25+ years this means one of two things. Either the air and creativity died years ago and the band is releasing records devoid of any artistic intention - if there is such intentions however, then it's horribly misguided into thoughts of "going back to the old days"-nostalgia and the result very smelly.

However, it could also mean that even after 25 years of records, tours, b-sides, fighting, divorces and hallucogenic drugs there is still gold in the mineshaft of musical creativity (I love my metaphors). Such seems to be the case with Depeche Mode, despite what you might think.

I didn't like Exciter. It had a few decent tracks but overall it felt uninspired, tiring and boring. You could feel that this was not so much a band as three people going into a studio - most likely seperate from each other - doing their everyday thing and then leaving. No heart, no soul and a mediocre album to show for it. After that a crappy tour and then silence. Dave Gahan released an equally shitty solo album, Martin Gore did a slightly better album and Fletch hasn't really been doing anything so it's hasn't been much change of pace for him.

However, five years after Exciter comes a brand new bag of fun from the british trio. Playing The Angel is not a brave new world of electronic music, but it's a new deck of cards in the hands of Depeche Mode. I can't help but thinking about when you first listen to Songs Of Faith & Devotion and the brilliant, scratching first guitar riff of "I Feel You" explodes onto your ears. The exact same procedure this time around. This time the song is called "A Pain I'm Used To" but the message is the same. The message: This isn't ust any bunch of amateurs. This is Depeche-fucking-Mode.

And it is. It most certainly is. But things aren't always what they used to be. It's very much a rough album, much like said SOFAD. The entire album has a very dark tone, almost Nine Inch Nails-like at times. You want a comparison? The first single "Precious" is the most upbeat song on the album. The rough edge ads a new dimension to the usual DM-sound. There are however no real hits, at least not after a few listens. No "Everything Counts" or "It's No Good", and somehow this could well be a concious decision. No anthems, but a pile of good songs. Nobody can deny the intensity of "John The Revelator", the beautiful (Gore-sung) "Macro" or the Gahan-written pearl "Suffer Well".

As an album this is a perfect product. It's a work that's bigger than the sum of it's contents which is of course a very good thing. PTA has a mood, a very special mood. It's dark blue compared to the greyish green that was Exciter, and everyone is thankful for it. But call my old-fashioned and crazy but I miss the old anthems. It would be nice to have a song to hum. Some chorus to have on my mind when I'm not listening. But of course, this is only a minor defect in this steel-enhanced battlecruiser. It's a fine piece of musical craftmansship, and it should be considered their greatest work in a long time.

But I do miss the humming.

R R R R R

And They Want Us To Grow Up

It's been some time since my last post. Sorry about that but I've been rather busy lately. Spel2 is up and running so for you with basical knowledge in swedish and an interest in games should definetly skip on over there and check it out. I'm very proud to be part of it and I hope the masses enjoy the site as much as I do.

Many new albums on the way. Today is the american release date for Depeche Mode's new album Playing The Angel. I took the liberty of giving it a little listen and a full review will follow as soon as I've listened to it a few times more and can give a nuanced opinion. But it does sound good and relatively fresh which I didn't expect really. The roughness from Ultra clashed together with the melodies and softness of Violator in a modern suit. Goodness.

Lasse Lindh is a cute little fella who makes swedish pop, and anyone who reads this blog at least once a month knows I have a thing for cute swedish pop artists (Håkan Hellström. Marit Bergman, Jens Lekman etc.) and Lasse Lindh is a very interesting addition to my "likes"-list. His latest s/t-album has really grown on me a lot since I got it a few days ago. His lyrics are simple but amusing, much like I believe pop lyrics should be. I shall have to listen to his two previous albums as well.

And finally we've reached the end of this post and I'm going to end it all by giving a shout-out to my pal Jarno who sent me Robbie Williams collected b-sideography. Over 70 songs and the ones I've heard so far has been really good. Now I'm even more excited about Intensive Care. My opinion on that little bugger will be given to you as soon as physically possible (i.e. depends on how fast my dc++ decides to work).

Into The Pale Moonlight

My Google Ads are more fucked up by the minute. If it doesn't stop promoting Shaggy's new album I'm going to scream. But of course, it would be worse. I just wish I could have some sites that actually fit with the subject of this page.

Anyways babies, Fort Minor is releasing two singles at the same time and I'm guessing "Petrified" is the american debut and "Believe Me" is the european. I saw the video for the second one on MTV yesterday and it was pretty boring I thought. Mike Shinoda is a visual genius in many ways and should really be able to bring something a little more exciting than five guys rapping into a camera in a green-lit factory-like enviroment. But the song is good, not super-good but a nice little track nonetheless. "Petrified" is a lot more exciting and that video is also a lot nicer looking.

The Rasmus playing at Klubben in Stockholm a few days ago. They played a cover of Kent's "Saker Man Ser". Tee-hee-hee! If anyone has a bootlegged mp3 of that song then you have to contact me!

Intellectual Tortoise

I finally snatched a copy of the episode of Conan O'Brien where U2 were the guests. 40 minutes of pure U2 means goodtimes all around. Four songs played, a few sketches (In the Year 2000: The Edge Edition!!) and two very good interviews; once with the full band and once with just Bono. If you get a chance, you have to see this episode. Very good stuff both if you love Conan and if you love U2. TV at its best.

I was going to review Franz Ferdinand's new album You Could Have It So Much Better but since my pal Jarno at A Fair Judgement already did, and pretty much summed up my feelings about it as well, then I'll just tell you to check out his review.

And finally; Kent's new EP. Yes indeed, Kent isn't through with this extremely successful year. They have announced a brand new EP with five new songs to be released at the beginning of November. You can pre-order it on their official site and I will as soon as I have the money to do so.
The title is The Hjärta & Smärta EP (The Heart & Pain EP. It's a play with lame teen angst poetry.) and the song titles are as follows:
"Vi Mot Världen" ("We Against The World")
"Ansgar & Evelyne"
"Flen/Paris" (Flen is a small swedish town)
"Månadens Erbjudande" ("Offer Of The Month")
"Dom Som Försvann" ("Those Who Disappeared")

Of course this is fantastic news and I'm literary jumping in my seat to hear these babies. They offer a sneak-peak listen to all who pre-order on October 28th and they will play on of the songs live at the Nordic Music Awards the day after. Seems like this year will both begin and end with complete Kent dominance.

You Would Self Destruct Eventually

Fort Minor is definatly a project worth mentioning it seems. After listening to three of the song coming up on the album The Rising Tied (sic) it sounds like a very interesting new act. It's hiphop, sure. But it's creative and inventive. It may seem a bit too safe still, for those most hardcore but to me it sounds really good so far. The songs are "Remember The Name", "Petrified" and "Believe Me" and can all be heard streaming on the official site. Go over there and check it out.

Tickets to Franz Ferdinand are running out and I'm still completely stripped for cash which sucks, of course. I'd love to see them live but I have to choose other priorities. It's a shame though. I hope someone bootlegs it, or someone hands me oodles of money before the tickets disappear.

I hate you if you're going. Hate.

The Boy Who's Lost His Soul

Nothing to write right now except Depeche Mode's new album Playing The Angel has apparently leaked, but I swear I won't download it in advance. This album is way too important for me.

Just to make this post a little more robust I can tell you that the song "Cut Me" by Her Majesty is probably the best song I've heard in several weeks.