Hip Whips - s/t (Dubious/s56/Warner)
This is normally the kind of stuff I despise. When a band so achingly tries to recreate the sounds of yesteryear, classic soul in this case, it usually just makes me angry. Why not just form a cover band if you're not going to add anything new to the genre? Anyhow, this keyboard, bass & drums trio isn't so bad. You can tell they've taken pains to sound "authentic" with the classic organ sounds and recording style, but they really should be paying more attention to their songwriting. Cool tones and whatever, but enough hooks or dynamics. Probably a lot more fun live than on record.
Tiger Lou - Is my head still on? (Startracks)
I'm really impressed by this record. I've liked everything I've heard from the Tiger so far, but this really raises the bar. The material here has much more depth and personality than his previous work and the mood tends towards the somber and dark. It's obvious that he's really been developing his craft. The production is more heavy-handed on this album, too. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I just know that when I saw him play "The War Between Us" live solely accompanied by guitar, it was quite powerful. The studio version is great, but it lacks the emotional impact of the sparser arrangement.
C.Aarmé - s/t (Burning Heart)
The song "It Must Hurt Now" begins with the line "I don't give a shit" and it doesn't come off like a ruse. I think I listened to this two or three times in a row when I first got it. Simply put, it rules. Snotty, high energy punk-rock, exactly the way it should be done. 15 songs in a bit over 25 minutes, every moment counts. 'Nuff said.
Weeping Willows - Presence (Virgin/EMI)
Just like people, bands change. It took me a long time to accept the new Weeping Willows sound debuted on their last album "Into the light". Once I got over the shock of change, I discovered a great pop album. Being said, this new albums continues very much in the same almost 80s-pop/rock style, but I think I still need to let it grow on me. There's three or four songs (including the single "Stairs") that are immediately appealing, but I'm undecided on the rest. Good, not great.
Last Days of April - If you lose it (Bad Taste)
For me, the best LDOA album is "Angel Youth" and I'm not sure if they'll ever top it. "If you lose it" is stronger than the last album "Ascend to the stars", but it still doesn't totally grab me. I'm thinking that the stripped down production courtesy of Mathias Oldén from Logh doesn't suit the band best. I absolutely love Logh, but I'm not loving this. Anyhow, I shouldn't be bitching - it's still a good record, even if it's not their best.
The Higher Elevations - CDR comp and "Perfect Day" 7" (Kite Recordings)
Solid power-pop akin to bands like David & the Citizens or maybe Peter, Björn and John. It's good, but I kind of wish the vocals were a bit stronger. Frontman Niklas Gustafsson definitely sounds better when he lets loose more such as on songs like "Lovestruck", but when he doubletracks his voice the performance suffers. I much rather hear energy and passion than a note-perfect take.
C.Aarmé
s/t
Burning Heart Records
The song "It must hurt now" begins with the line "I don't give a shit" and it doesn't come off like a ruse. I think I listened to this two or three times in a row when I first got it. Simply put, it rules. Snotty, high energy punk-rock, exactly the way it should be done. 15 songs in a bit over 25 minutes, every moment counts. 'Nuff said.
- Avi Roig
The Higher Elevations
Perfect day 7"
Kite Recordings
Solid power-pop akin to bands like David & the Citizens or maybe Peter, Björn and John. It's good, but I kind of wish the vocals were a bit stronger. Frontman Niklas Gustafsson definitely sounds better when he lets loose more such as on songs like "Lovestruck", but when he doubletracks his voice the performance suffers. I much rather hear energy and passion than a note-perfect take.
- Avi Roig
Hip Whips
s/t
Warner Music Sweden
This is normally the kind of stuff I despise. When a band so achingly tries to recreate the sounds of yesteryear, classic soul in this case, it usually just makes me angry. Why not just form a cover band if you're not going to add anything new to the genre? Anyhow, this keyboard, bass & drums trio isn't so bad. You can tell they've taken pains to sound "authentic" with the classic organ sounds and recording style, but they really should be paying more attention to their songwriting. Cool tones and whatever, but enough hooks or dynamics. Probably a lot more fun live than on record.
- Avi Roig
Last Days of April
If you lose it
Bad Taste Records
For me, the best LDOA album is "Angel youth" and I'm not sure if they'll ever top it. "If you lose it" is stronger than the last album "Ascend to the stars", but it still doesn't totally grab me. I'm thinking that the stripped down production courtesy of Mathias Oldén from Logh doesn't suit the band best. I absolutely love Logh, but I'm not loving this. Anyhow, I shouldn't be bitching - it's still a good record, even if it's not their best.
- Avi Roig
Tiger Lou
Is my head still on?
Startracks
I'm really impressed by this record. I've liked everything I've heard from the Tiger so far, but this really raises the bar. The material here has much more depth and personality than his previous work and the mood tends towards the somber and dark. It's obvious that he's really been developing his craft. The production is more heavy-handed on this album, too. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I just know that when I saw him play "The war between us" live solely accompanied by guitar, it was quite powerful. The studio version is great, but it lacks the emotional impact of the sparser arrangement.
- Avi Roig
Weeping Willows
Presence
Virgin/EMI
Just like people, bands change. It took me a long time to accept the new Weeping Willows sound debuted on their last album "Into the light". Once I got over the shock of change, I discovered a great pop album. Being said, this new albums continues very much in the same almost 80s-pop/rock style, but I think I still need to let it grow on me. There's three or four songs (including the single "Stairs") that are immediately appealing, but I'm undecided on the rest. Good, not great.
- Avi Roig