release date: Feb. 24, 2003
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,64]
producer: Johan Duncanson, Martin Larsson
label: Labrador - nationality: Sweden
Track highlights: 2. "Where Damage Isn't Already Done" (4 / 5) (live) - 3. "Keen on Boys" - 4. "Why Won't You Talk About It?" (4 / 5) (live) - 5. "It's Been Eight Years" - 6. "Bus" - 7. "Slottet #2" - 9. "Against the Tide" - 13. "Lost and Found"
[ full album ]
Studio album debut by Swedish band The Radio Dept. released on Labrador Records and produced by Johan Duncanson and Martin Larsson of the band. At this early point of their career the band consists of the band's main songwriter Johan Duncansson on lead vocals, guitar and keyboards, Martin Larsson also on vocals, guitar and keyboards, Lisa Carlberg on bass and piano, and with Per Blomgren on drums. The majority of the tracks are written solely by Johansson, excluding three tracks co-written with Larsson, and the two also produced the album.
The style is indie pop / dream pop with traces of noise pop and with inspiration from bands like Felt and My Bloody Valentine. The album's release was almost unnoticed but has gained much recognition in the aftermath. On this their first attempt, the sound is somewhat unpolished, intentionally demo-like lo-fi with heavy reverb and distortion on both guitar and vocal. Several tracks stand out but it's also their most incoherent album as tracks point in various directions making it more of a sketching of greatness.
Recommended as the band's second best album, imho.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5, NME, Drowned in Sound 4,5 / 5 stars ]
