release date: Mar. 15, 1995
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,48]
producer: Nille Perned
label: RCA / BMG Ariola - nationality: Sweden
Track highlights: 1. "Blåjeans" - 2. "Som vatten" - 4. "När det blåser på månen" - 5. Jag vill inte vara rädd" (4 / 5) - 7. "Den osynliga mannen" - 9. "Ingen kommer att tro dig" - 10. "Stenbrott"
Studio album debut by Swedish band Kent who at this point consists of Joakim Berg on lead vocals, Sami Sirviö on lead guitar, Martin Roos on rhythm guitar, Martin Sköld on bass, and with Markus Mustonen on drums and backing vocals.
The music is rather simple rock-based indie rock in a traditional way with focus on guitar, bass and drums and with some grunge rock or britpop elements. I come to think of the album as a Swedish TV-2 (Danish band) inspired release - perhaps the front cover helps me make that comparison, which is very much in the tradition of that band, although, the music is more British and American-inspired indie pop music where bands like The House of Love, The Smiths, and especially Suede comes to mind.
Four singles were released from the album, and the first issue by Kent was the release of "När det blåser på månen" - only single to be released prior to the album, Feb. 6, 1995. This was followed by tracks #2, #11 ("Frank"), and #5 (the latter released in Sep.). None of the singles made any entries on the national singles chart list, but the album peaked at number #22 in Sweden, and what's more interesting is that Kent with the album debut was awarded the Swedish Grammis [Grammy Award] as 'Best Pop / Rock Group' in 1995.
I did not listen to this until after Du & jag, döden (2005) and at that point made it a difficult step back in time. For some reason, I had not discovered their music until then, so being adjusted to their synthpop style, made the trip back to indie pop so hard that I found the debut a mere weak starting point. Only in 2014, I came to appreciate it more. I regret my first verdict but much more how I completely missed this band out in all those years. Kent is an album without many stand-outs and a debut that points in so many directions that you wouldn't know what to expect. Tracks #1, #4 and #5 are fine and especially the latter points more in the direction the band would pursue on later albums.
[ allmusic.com 2 / 5 stars ]
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