Mariza "Fado tradicional" (2010)

Fado tradicional

release date: Nov. 29, 2010

format: cd

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,82]

producer: Diogo Clemente

label: EMI Music Portugal / Capitol / World Connection - nationality: Portugal

Track highlights: 1. "Fado Vianinha (Fado Vianinha)" - 3. "As meninas dos meus olhos (Fado alfacinha)" - 4. "Mais uma lua (Fado Varela)" - 6. "Ai, esta pena de mim (Fado Zé António)" - 8. "Rosa da Madragoa (Fado Seixal)"

5th studio album by Mariza following the album Terra (Jun. 2008). The album is Mariza's return to the roots of the fado after having released albums of more experimental content, where she have challenged the style, or perhaps better: she has widened her repertoire by incorporating stylistic elements from contemporary folk, pop, and latin jazz.

As the title suggests, Fado tradicional is her so far most traditionally shaped album of pure fado compositions. It consists of 12 songs but only reach a total running time of 35 minutes. All songs here are not surprisingly closely bonded songs with small variations, which is also stressed in the arrangements with only acoustic guitars supporting Mariza's vocal. That said, Mariza here reassures her status as one of the best and most wonderful exponents of the Portuguese fado.

Highly recommended.

[ 👍The Telegraph 4 / 5, The Guardian 3 / 5 stars ]

Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté "Ali & Toumani" (2010)

Ali & Toumani
release date: Feb. 23, 2010
format: digital
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,96]
producer: Nick Gold
label: World Circuit - nationality: Mali

2nd and final album for the collaboration work of Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté. The album was actually recorded in June 2005 shortly after the release of the acclaimed In the Heart of the Moon (2005) but somehow the album wasn't released until 2010 - four years after the death of Touré.
The album follows closely in the footsteps laid out on the debut by partly containing traditional Mandé folk songs arranged by either of the two or together, and also songs composed by Diabaté and Touré. Altogether, Ali & Toumani is yet another beautiful collection of songs by these two wonderful artists.
[ Uncut Magazine review ]

Rum 37 "Guldstol mod yderste kaj" (2017)

Guldstol mod yderste kaj

release date: Jan. 27, 2017

format: vinyl (TARGET1703LP) / digital (10 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,62]

producer: Rum 37?

label: Target - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Caligula" - 3. "L.L.R." - 4. "Der går et smil gennem skovene i år" - 5. "Mestervaerk" - 6. "Kalifornien" - 8. "Brænder dæk" - 10. "Svanerne sang"

2nd full-length album by Rum 37 follows 4½ years after Mellem rum (Oct. 2012). Like the band's self-titled ep debut Rum 37 from 2011, no producer credits are listed on the album, only recording, mixing, and mastering personnel, and the album is recorded by Klaus Sandberg and Rum 37. The main reason to the long interval from their most recent release to this must be attributed the fact that during the recording sessions in 2014 - with intentions to release the album in late 2014 / early 2015 - drummer Mikkel Lumbye all of a sudden passed away, Nov. 2014, 37 years old, leaving the band reduced to a trio of vocalist Kristian Helmuth, guitarist Camillo (Gino) Askjær, and bassist Søren Adolph. The release was naturally much delayed and has only been realised with the aid from friends and the support from former associates [source: targetgroup.dk].

All songs are credited Rum 37. The album contains ten tracks - tracks #2 and #9 are short instrumentals - with a total time running just below 37 minutes. The end track "Svanerne sang" is the longest composition with a playing time of 7 minutes.

Guldstol mod yderste kaj [translates to strangely sounding 'Sedan Chair on the Last Pier'] (the title is a line from "Caligula") is with lyrics entirely in Danish and when comparing with the 2011 and 2012 albums, it's evident that the band here has transformed to something of more substance. The music is still in the light-end of alt. rock and indie pop with a strong influence from other Danish acts, such as Love Shop, Minds of 99, and Mellemblond, and with a strong musical influence from Swedish band Kent, however, whether the band takes notes from this or that, they here appear in their most original shape so far, which ultimately makes Guldstol mod yderste kaj a more than well-crafted album. The album was met by positive reviews and following the album release, the band was expanded to a quartet as drummer Rasmus Holmboe was included as official member. Rum 37 played a few concerts in 2017 and now appears to be on a hiatus. There are no further info to be found regarding touring dates or other news, and the band's Facebook-profile hasn't been updated since 2017, so Guldstol mod yderste kaj remains the most recent release from the band and it could very likely be the final release by this promising quartet.

Recommended.

[ Gaffa.dk 4 / 6, GFRock.dk 5 / 6 stars ]

Band of Horses "Infinite Arms" (2010)

Infinite Arms

release date: May 18, 2010

format: cd

[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]

producer: Band of Horses; Phil Ek (add. pro.)

label: Brown Records / Sony Music / Columbia - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Factory" - 2. "Compliments" - 3. "Laredo" (live on Letterman) - 5. "On My Way Back Home"

3rd studio album by Band of Horses following 2½ years after Cease to Begin (Oct. 2007) presents a completely new line-up where only founding member, lead vocalist and primary composer Ben Bridwell and (new) drummer Creighton Barrett re-appear on this. Keyboardist Ryan Monroe appeared on the former as additional musician and became a permanent member after the 2007 album, which had been completed as a trio together with guitarist Rob Hampton, who then left the band before commencing the recording sessions for this one. Hampton was replaced by new members guitarist Tyler Ramsey and bassist Bill Reynolds completing the new formation as a quintet.

Infinite Arms doesn't land far from the previous albums with its predominantly folk rock-foundation. What distinguishes this from the former releases is an addition and strings and brass arrangements, which I don't think improves the whole picture. Some songs could have fitted nicely on the 2007 album without straying far from that - mostly the above highlighted tracks, but what I feel lacks here is outstanding compositions, or: original new material. Bridwell mostly sings like the "old" Bridwell, but at times he sounds like a tired circus artists going through motions he has learned to repeat. The album was generally met by positive reviews, most of which points to a certain americana-feel to the new album. Something I find difficult to hear. In general, the album is positioned as the band's best performing album in the US by reaching number #7 on the Billboard 200.

To me, Infinte Arms simply sounds like a lesser release - compared to their first two it could be an album of leftovers. Bridwell is less poignant, the compositions are well-played but do not contribute with much new, and the overall impression is easily forgettable.

Not recommended.

[ allmusic.com, Uncut, Q 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5, Slant 3 / 5, Pitchfork 5,3 / 10 stars ]

Sun Kil Moon "Admiral Fell Promises" (2010)

Admiral Fell Promises
release date: Jul. 13, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,66]
producer: Mark Kozelek
label: Caldo Verde Records - nationality: USA

Tracklist: 1. "Ålesund" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "Half Moon Bay" - 3. "Sam Wong Hotel" - 4. "Third and Seneca" - 5. "You Are My Sun" - 6. "Admiral Fell Promises" (4 / 5) (live) - 7. "The Leaning Tree" - 8. "Australian Winter" - 9. "Church of the Pines" - 10. "Bay of Skulls"

4th studio album by Sun Kil Moon following two years after April (Apr. 2008) is like that produced by Kozelek and released on his own label, Caldo Verde. His follow-up is the Mark Kozelek live album Lost Verses - Live (May 2009) consisting of material written for Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon, as well as songs released under his own name.

On Admiral Fell Promises, the music is acoustic guitar-driven compositions and they are according to Kozelek inspired by the great Spanish classical guitarist Andrés Segovia. Despite being released under the name of Sun Kil Moon, the album consists of tracks written and composed entirely by Kozelek and they all basically only feature his vocal accompanied by his acoustic nylon Spanish guitar. The title track is one of Kozelek's finest compositions.

Sun Kil Moon had basically been the continuation of Red House Painters, however, songwriter Kozelek made nearly all of the band's studio releases on his own and the band only existed as a live constellation and even at this point it seems that Kozelek did whatever he felt like regardless any of the former members. Former guitarist Phil Carney founded the duo Desertshore with pianist Chris Connolly. Drummer Anthony Koutsos had turned to real estate business and occasionally supported Kozelek on live tours when playing under as Kozelek or as Sun Kil Moon. Bassist Jerry Vessel soon founded Heirlooms of August with Frances Everett, and other bassist Geoff Stanfield began work as studio musician and producer.

[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

Show lyrics <- click...

~ ~ ~

"Admiral Fell Promises"

"Come out from the burning fire, butterfly
Let me lock you in my room and keep you for a while
Could you be the answer to my every prayer?
Could you be the one now for who I care?

Come into my arms and let your worries die
Come out from the web of all your tangled lies
But be true to me and I’ll be true to you
Judge me not for what I’ve done but what I’ll do

A million nights have led
to this one that we are spending
And I know it’s better here
than anywhere I’ve been going
Where every morning grew
a void more wide and endless"

Come out from the burning fire butterfly
Let me lock you in my room and keep you for a while
You watch over me and I'll watch over you
And if you go tomorrow, choke me till I'm blue

A thousand days have passed
In this house, she and I were sharing
And I hate myself for it
But I have stopped caring
The Marilyn sky tonight
Is so black and blue and beautiful"

~ ~ ~

The Divine Comedy "Live at Somerset House" (2010) (live)

Live at Somerset House (live)

release date: Dec. 2010
format: digital (24 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,82]
producer: Nel Hannon
label: Concert Live - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

12th album release by The Divine Comedy is a double live album from a concert at Somerset House, London, Jul. 17, 2010 released on the label Concert Live.
The album consists of 24 tracks (some issues: 22) and it contains many great songs, and it truly serves to document Neil Hannon as the great amusing entertainer, he really is.
Quite enjoyable.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

The Divine Comedy "Bang Goes the Knighthood" (2010)

Bang Goes the Knighthood
release date: May 31, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,32]
producer: Nel Hannon
label: Divine Comedy Records - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Down in the Street Below" - 3. "Neapolitan Girl" (acoustic session) - 5. "At the Indie Disco" (live) - 6. "Have You Ever Been in Love" - 7. "Assume the Perpendicular" - 8. "The Lost Art of Conversation" - 11. "Can You Stand Upon One Leg" - 12. "I Like" (4 / 5)

10th studio album by The Divine Comedy released on Hannon's newly-founded label, Divine Comedy records, UK.
This is another fine but somewhat superficial album. The melodies are fine, the lyrics also with the usual amount of irony and themes in place, but... he's just been there before. It's by no means a mediocre release, though.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, Record Collector 4 / 5 stars ]

Papir "Papir" (2010)

Papir [debut]

release date: Dec. 1, 2010

format: digital (5 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,92]

producer: Troels Bech [masterered by]

label: self-released - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: 1. "Kurl Te Pow Ralise" - 2. "Lykk Trep-R Hi-Losé" - 3. "Une Frensal N-Erit" - 4. "Rogter Sot Oe Koft"

Studio album debut by Danish space rock and prog rock trio Papir consisting of guitarist Nicklas Sørensen, bassist Christian Becher Clausen, and drummer Christoffer Brøchmann Christensen. The band was founded in Gladsaxe, Copenhagen around 2008. The album consists of four instrumental pieces, and it was originally released on vinyl by independent label Red Tape, and later made available as downloadable via the band's bandcamp profile. The album mentions no producer credits, but Troels Bech is credited mastering and the band is credited mixing.

Stylewise and musically, the band explores experimental progressive rock with bonds to 1970s krautrock and German prog rock band Can in particular.

The album is not an immediate favourite but it definitely isn't without talent. There's both something disturbing, something fascinating, and a great deal of originality to these four compositions.

Efterklang "Magic Chairs" (2010)

Magic Chairs
release date: Feb. 22, 2010
format: digital (10 x File, FLAC)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,86]
producer: Efterklang, Gareth Jones
label: 4AD Records - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights 1. "Modern Drift" - 3. "I Was Playing Drums" (4AD sessions)

3rd studio album by Efterklang following 2½ years after Parades (2007) is the band's first on 4AD. The band is officially reduced to a quartet consisting of vocalist and songwriter Casper Clausen, keyboardist Mads Brauer, bassist Rasmus Stolberg, and drummer Thomas Husmer. Former member Rune Mølgaard is credited as co-composer and co-arranger of tracks #1 and #9.

Musically, this takes off almost exactly where Parades ended and sounds much like a Part 2 to that album, only this is a bit more indie pop-shaped, but I find that this one is with even lesser noteworthy highlights, thus making what should have paved way for an international breakthrough turns out as a bit of a soft landing making it the band's so far least favourable album.

[ bandcamp ]

[ allmusic.com, NME 3,5 / 5, 👍The Guardian 3 / 5, SputnikMusic 2,5 / 5 stars ]

Stromae "Cheese" (2010)

Cheese [debut]

release date: Jun. 21, 2010

format: cd / vinyl (2022 reissue) (gatefold)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,02]

producer: Mosaert

label: Mosaert / Vertigo / Mercury / Universal - nationality: Belgium

Track highlights: 1. "Bienvenue chez moi" - 2. "Te quiero" - 3. "Peace or Violence" (4 / 5) - 4. "Rail de musique" - 5. "Alors on danse" (5 / 5) (live) - 6. "Summertime" - 7. "Dodo" - 8. "Silence" - 10. "House'llelujah" - *12. "Alors on danse (90's remix)"

*Bonus track on CD and vinyl (first time on vinyl in 2014).

[Stromae presentation of the album]

Studio album debut by Belgian electronic artist Stromae (aka Mosaert, aka Maestro, aka Paul Van Haver) formerly known as Opsmaestro. The full album debut follows several single releases and the self-released four track ep debut Juste un cerveau, un flow, un fond et un mic… (2007). From early on, Stromae wanted to be in full control of his music and together with brother Luc he established the production label Mosaert (one of several anagrams for Maestro).

Cheese is mostly electronic dance but since Stromae appears to be influenced by Belgian chanson, African music as such and world music in general, there are traits from other styles and genres to be found on an album that still holds up as something almost extremely coherent, thanks to Stromae's sense for arranging and also his unique vocal.

I did not come across the album until a few years later and after listening to the major hit song "Alors on danse" via the satiric sketch video by French actor and comedian Jamal Debbouze.

Cheese is a wonderful and strong debut on which Stromae showcases his speciality concerning subjects and themes. On a superficial level, his music and songs are playful and full of joy and positivity - related to the dance genre - but his lyrics are quite opposite and deals with injustice, prejudice, poverty, discrimination, and personal conflict - a formula he has continued ever since.

Cheese is Stromae's third best album - in a total of three, which may not seem impressive but when this first came out, it was great. It still is.

Highly recommended.

[ 👎allmusic.com, 👎The Guardian 3 / 5, Album of the Year 4 / 5 stars ]

The Durutti Column "A Paean to Wilson" (2010)

A Paean to Wilson
release date: Jan. 24, 2010
format: digital (2-disc)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: Keir Stewart, Bruce Mitchell
label: Kooky Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: 1. "Or Are You Just a Technician" - 2. "Chant" - 3. "Quatro" - 4. "Requiem" - 5. "Stuki" - 6. "Along Came Poppy" (4 / 5) - 7. "Brother" - 8. "Duet With Piano" - 9. "Darkness Here" - 10. "Catos Revisited" (4 / 5) - 11. "The Truth" - 12. "How Unbelievable"

21st studio album by The Durutti Column follows the 19th studio album Treatise on the Steppenwolf Soundtrack, a soundtrack album released on LTM Recordings (Aug. 2008) and of course the most recent release: the 20th studio album Love in the Time of Recession (2009) issued on Artful Records.
A Paen... is dedicated Tony Wilson (Anthony Wilson) co-founder of Factory Records and Reilly's friend and manager who passed away in 2007. Here, Reilly covers almost all of his vast stylistic repertoire playing post-punk, art rock, experimental rock, acoustic rock, dream pop, ambient, electronic, jazz, modern classical, shoegaze... and without making it a mishmash of styles. It's so incorporated in Reilly's expressiveness that it works even for this, an instrumental dedication. The album is released with a bonus disc called Heaven Sent (It Was Called Digital. It Was Heaven Sent), originally released as a standalone digital download ep only in 2005, thus making it a mere gift than an integral part or an extension to the actual album.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

LCD Soundsystem "London Sessions" (2010) (live)

London Sessions (live)
release date: Nov. 8, 2010
format: cd (2011)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,64]
producer: James Murphy; DFA
label: DFA Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Us v Them" - 2. "All I Want" - 4. "Get Innocuous!" - 5. "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House" - 6. "All My Friends" (4 / 5) - 8. "I Can Change" - 9. "Yr City Is a Sucker"
[ full album ]

Live-in-the-studio album of recordings at The Pool recording studio of Miloco Studios in London, England, Tuesday Jun. 29, 2010. The album was released as a downloadable album only Nov. 8, 2010 and on cd Jan. 24, 2011. On this occasion the band consists of James Murphy on vocals and percussion, Nancy Whang on keyboards and vocals, Pat Mahoney on drums and vocals, Tyler Pope on bass, percussion and vocals, Gavin Russom on synth, keyboards, percussion and vocals, David Scott Stone on guitar, percussion, synth and vocals and with Matt Thornley on guitar, percussion and vocals.
The collection of songs here are taken from all three previous studio albums, which makes it a good compilation as it comes with two tracks from the debut, three from Sound of Silver and four from This Is Happening. I actually find that the tracks (#2, #3, #7 and #8) from the most recent studio album all sound better in this more vibrant and dance-punk production, and on top of that, they also make the compositions from the various albums feel like one whole.
All in all this is truly one of the band's best albums.
Prior to the album release James Murphy had started rumours about the band's near end, and on Feb. 8, 2011, on the band's website, LCD Soundsystem proclaimed that they would play their last concert in April.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

Trentemøller "Into the Great Wide Yonder" (2010)

Into the Great Wide Yonder

release date: May 31, 2010

format: digital (10 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,54]

producer: Anders Trentemøller

label: In My Room - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "The Mash and the Fury" - 2. "Sycamore Feeling" (feat. Marie Fisker) - 3. "Past the Beginning of the End" - 4. "Shades of Marble" - 6. "Häxan" - 8. "Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider Go!!!" - 10. "Tide" (feat. Solveig Sandnes)

2nd full-length studio album by Trentemøller follows some 3½ years after The Last Resort (Oct. 2006) is his first album to be released on his new-founded label, In My Room. More recently he released the DJ mixes Harbour Boat Trips 01 in 2009 as well as a long list of remixes - for which he is renowned.

Into the Great Wide Yonder marks a change of style - although his trademark has continuously been not to conform and musically always be on the move, in search of new sounds and styles to incorporate. This time he has embraced and paired two opposites: on one side and half of the tracks, more traditional song structures with vocals, verse and chorus, and on the other side experimental and instrumental downtempo techno.

It's not as much the introduction of vocal arrangements that makes this a step forward, and in my ears: an improvement. It's more so his ability to make it one whole, where both musical ends are held together in a tight and original mix. The progressive parts and the rhythm patterns glues it all together. Also, he collaborate with singer / songwriters like Marie Fisker, Solveig Sandnes, Nana Øland Fabricious (aka Oh Land), and Mikael Simpson, Josephine Philip and Fyfe Dangerfield (of Guillemots) who add lyrics (and vocals) and compositions to his arrangements.

It's not an immediate favourite of mine, but I think this is his so far most coherent album.

[ bandcamp ]

[ allmusic.com 3 / 5 stars ]

Ukendt Under Andet Navn "Ukendt Under Andet Navn" (2010) (ep)

Ukendt Under Andet Navn, ep
release date: Jun. 1, 2010
format: cd (ukendt 001)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,38]
producer: Henrik Olesen, Thomas Thomsen
label: Melodika - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: 1. "Skridt" - 2. "Korsvej" - 3. "Det gamle, det ny" - 4. "Hjertet" - 5. "Alt som det skal være"

Studio solo ep debut by Henrik Olesen released under the moniker Ukendt Under Andet Navn is a 5-track ep with a running time just below 14 mins. Together with older brother Peter, the two played and released music over a decade from 1997 to 2007 as Olesen-Olesen, and now as they have split, primary songwriter Peter has been occupied as an author, and Henrik has taken up his musical collaboration work with Solveig Sandness in the duo-led musical project Er De Sjældne together with Lone Hørslev. With Sandness, Henrik had taken part as guitarist in the early formation of the Danish / Swedish / Icelandic band Lovebites from 1995 to 2000, while still focusing on his music-project with Peter. In the band Er De Sjældne, he contributes on various guitars whereas the songs remain credited Hørslev (lyrics) and Sandness (music), in collaboration and perhaps this led him to establish his own musical project. Here, he is in complete control - handling all instruments except cello, and he's credited as composer of all music.
Musically, it's like a combo of all his musical engagements throughout the past decade. Tracks #1, #3 and #4 in particular share the musical foundation with Olesen-Olesen with a strong singer / songwriter and subtle folk rock approach, tracks #2 and #5 have a harsher tone bonding more with the post-punk sound that was heard in Greene, where track #5 also reflects an influence from the more pop-shaped universe of Lovebites, but altogether it's still a rather coherent collection of fine and almost minimalist compositions.
Henrik has always represented the lighter tone of the brothers Olesen, and on this, he also demonstrates that he is a talented songwriter, although, the strongest side to the five songs is the musical dimension. This short album serves as a nice document of the musical qualities of at least one half of the brothers Olesen, and then it leaves you with a taste for more.
[ Undertoner 4 / 6 stars - review from diskant.dk ]

Arcade Fire "The Suburbs" (2010)

The Suburbs
release date: Aug. 2, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,38]
producer: Arcade Fire, Markus Dravs
label: Merge Records - nationality: Canada

Track highlights: 1. "The Suburbs" - 2. "Ready to Start" - 5. "Empty Room" - 6. "City with No Children" - 9. "Suburban War" - 12. "Deep Blue" - 13. "We Used to Wait" - 14. "Sprawl I (Flatland)" - 15. "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)"

3rd studio album release by Arcade Fire. I think it slighty betters the 2007 album The Neon Bible without coming anywhere near the debut.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 4 / 5, Q Magazine 5 / 5 stars ]

Kent "En plats i solen" (2010)

En plats i solen
release date: Jun. 30, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,84]
producer: Kent, Stefan Boman; Joshua [aka Jon Schumann]
label: RCA / Sony Music - nationality: Sweden

Track highlights: 1. "Glasäpplen" - 2. "Ismael" - 3. "Skisser för sommaren" (5 / 5) - 4. "Ärlighet Respekt Kärlek" - 5. "Varje gång du möter min blick" (5 / 5) - 8. "Gamla Ullevi" - 10. "Passagerare" (4 / 5)

9th studio album by Kent, who has found new producer Stefan Boman but also found room for Danish producer Jon Schumann, who is credited for production on tracks #2, 3 and 5. Most people thought they wouldn't come up with any new material within a couple of years - it had become their trademark of a working speed to spent two to three years getting things ready, and then it's the first time the band releases new material in only 7 months! Yes, it was a rather difficult attempt to follow Röd with another album release.
I think they succeed quite Okay, though. It's not way up there but it's neither bad nor poor by any standards. It's only slightly less fantastic by Kent standards. The album has a much more happy tone, which suits the bands just as fine because they really do know how to make pop / rock with sing-along choruses - tunes that make you wanna turn up the volume and just move with the flow even when you ride the car to pick up kids at school, and as they enter the car, they don’t even ask you to turn the music down, as they would if you had been listening to Pixies or Mew or whatever else I expose them to. They like it too 'cause it’s simply great music and kids can tell, or: my kids have good taste... Then of course the album contains ballads - and ballads with the voice of Joakim Berg are not ordinary ballads 'cause they make you consider stopping the car and have you looking for tissues - damn it’s so good! Another typical thing with any Kent album is that it varies what track you love. At the beginning I fell for the first two songs “Glasäpplen” and “Ismael”. THEN those were overtaken by the fantabulous “Skisser för sommaren”, which is sooooooo cool, and yet another great song, "Gamla Ullevi" - 'Jag tänker på dig - Jag tänker på dig - Jag tänker på dig ibland'... I will probably hate the songs after hearing them 10.000 times but not before that, and I still have a few times left on that account. One of the marvellous ballads on the album is “Varje gång du möter min blick”, which really holds the standard and touches me like their (maybe) best ballad ever,“Det finns inga ord” from Röd.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5 stars ]

<  show lyrics >

~ ~ ~

"Ärlighet Respekt Kärlek"

"Jag visste var du varit
var du en gång kom ifrån
Och en gång var din historia också min

Som musik man bara hör
när man kan tala samma språk
När man delar alla hemligheter
Stora som små

Och jag stal något du ändå ville ge mig
Försökte älska det jag tog
Men ärligheten, respekten, kärleken bara dog

Och jag stal något du var beredd att ge mig
Du förlät mig, jag kunde inte se dig
i ögonen, förlåt älskling
jag gör det snart igen

Jag vet var du tar vägen
när du är ensam i din säng
Och vi återvänder om och om igen

Som en bok man bara skriver
när man har slösat varje ord
Om meningslösa självklarheter, meningslösa, meningslösa

Jag stal något du ändå ville ge mig
Försökte älska det jag tog
Men ärligheten, respekten, kärleken bara dog

Och jag stal något du var beredd att ge mig
Du förlät mig, jag kunde inte se dig
i ögonen, förlåt älskling
jag gör det snart igen

Och jag stal något du ändå ville ge mig
Försökte älska det jag tog
Men ärligheten, respekten, kärleken bara dog

Och jag stal något du var beredd att ge mig
Du förlät mig, jag kunde inte se dig
i ögonen, förlåt älskling
jag gör det snart igen"

~ ~ ~

"Varje gång du möter min blick"

"För första gången på nära håll
stod vi som frusna mot varandra
Och mina händer rörde aldrig din hud
men jag vet att du kände

Som en elektrisk chock genom skelettet
Lätta fingrar genom tyget på de kläder du valde
för någon annans skull

Och varje gång du möter min blick
blir min värld en aning större
Varje gång du möter min blick
hör jag ditt hjärta ge mig blod

Varje gång du möter min blick
går en störning genom ljuset
Varje gång du möter min blick
så vet jag vem jag är

För sista gången på nära håll
står vi som frusna mot varandra
Och våra händer möts affärsmässigt snabbt
som i förvåning

Över en elektrisk chock genom skelettet
Som slog sönder våra liv till ett fullständigt normalt
tillstånd där allt är trasigt

Varje gång du möter min blick
går en störning genom ljuset
Varje gång du möter min blick
Så vet jag vem jag är

Varje gång du möter min blick
blir min värld en aning större
Varje gång du möter min blick
hör jag ditt hjärta ge mig blod

Varje gång du möter min blick
går en störning genom ljuset
Varje gång du möter min blick
så vet jag vem jag var"

~ ~ ~

LCD Soundsystem "This Is Happening" (2010) (live)

This Is Happening (live)
release date: May 18, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,24]
producer: The DFA [ aka Tim Goldsworthy & James Murphy]
label: DFA Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Dance Yrself Clean" - 2. "Drunk Girls" - 5. "I Can Change" (live) - 6. "You Wanted a Hit" (live)

3rd studio album by LCD Soundsystem follows a well-known formula with Goldsworthy and Murphy of the band in the producer seat and with Murphy both as the most extensively credited members as well composer of most tracks. According to the credit list the band has been reduced to a quintet, but in essence it's more obvious that it has become a one-man project band as the other four members are reduced to appearances on one track [!]. Pat Mahoney, Nancy Whang and Tyler Pope are credited for drums, vocals and bass on track #7, whereas Philip Mossman simply isn't credited for any contributions. Eric Broucek and Mandy Coon seem out of the [project] band and also co-founding member and co-producer Tim Goldsworthy is only credited for his producer part. So in essence, LCD Soundsystem is James Murphy.
The style is very close to that of the predecessor, and that's both good and bad as all the influences the band play on are so wide-ranged that it's hard to just copy but that's nevertheless what comes out as: a close to a copy of Sound of Silver. The album is a mix of tracks that play on either rock- and dance punk-influences, indietronica and old-school synth pop and what could be labelled new wave.
The album was met by positive reviews and became the band's so far best selling album reaching number #10 in the US (number #1 on the Top Dance / Electronic Albums list), number #7 in the UK and #11 in Australia.
It's really not bad at all, but I don't think that it adds much new to the repertoire, and what seems "worse" is the absence of strong hit-songs. It sounds to me as an attempt to make another album they've already produced. "Dance Yrself Clean" and "I Can Change" are clearly the album's best tracks. "Drunk Girls" is a fine up-tempo track but sounds much like an Undertones replica, "All I Want" sounds too close to an indietronica version of Bowie's " 'Heroes' ", "You Wanted a Hit" starts off like a Sakamoto rip-off (but then luckily winds up on its own), and the remaining tracks sort of vanish in anonymity, imho, which ultimately makes it a bit of a bland experience.
Shortly after the album release James Murphy apparently had announced that it would probably be the last album by LCD Soundsystem, although, he later that year is said to have suggested that the band may continue as a project-band - but without being a big thing.
[ allmusic.com, The Guardian, NME, Spin, Rolling Stone 4 / 5, 

The National "High Violet" (2010)

High Violet
release date: May 10, 2010
format: 2lp vinyl (heavyweight repress) / cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,92]
producer: The National
label: 4AD Records - nationality: USA

Track highlights: A) 1. "Terrible Love" (live) - 2. "Sorrow" (5 / 5) - 3. "Anyone's Ghost" (4 / 5) (live on Later) - - B) 1. "Little Faith" - 3. "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (5 / 5) - - C) 1. "Lemonworld" - 3. "Conversation 16" - - D) 1. "England" - 2. "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks"

5th full-length studio album by The National follows three years after their acclaimed Boxer (May 2007) and it's the first to be produced exclusively by the band, as well as being their first album on the Beggars Banquet parent label, 4AD.
At first, I was a bit lukewarm about this. Obviously, the giant single "Buzzbomb Ohio" stole much of the attention together with "Sorrow", but slowly, and over time, I think it's more than just an ordinarily decent good album, and eventually, I have come to consider this as the band's absolute best. The sound quality, the arrangements, and the production as such are much as on Boxer, only this one comes with several truly fine songs.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5, 👍NME, 👍The Guardian, Spin 4 / 5 stars ]

Blondie "At the BBC" (2010) (live)

At the BBC (live)
release date: Oct. 4, 2010
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,68]
producer: ?
label: Chrysalis Records - nationality: USA

[ concert extract ]

Live album by Blondie released more than 30 years following the recordings. The album is from one concert arranged by BBC Radio 1 at The Apollo Theatre, Glasgow on Dec. 31, 1979. Although, the concert was held at a relatively early point of its career, the band still manages to put together a fine collection of strong tunes.
The album was released as a double disc containing a dvd with most tracks from the concert and a few sessions from Top of The Pops, which makes it a fine bargain. Soundwise: well, it's from a period where punk rock had pointed very strictly that it should be authentic / garage-like, so this is not over-produced - actually it leaves out the producer credits, and it may just likely have been recorded as is without any major editing - and refreshingly far from modern times' X-factor productions, and in a way more than adequate.
It's a fine release showcasing the special new wave and mainstream pop / rock blend that Blondie represented without ever being pure art rock, dirty enough to be punk or new wave but they really understood how to appeal to more than a minor set of fans incorporating inspiration from a huge variety of styles and genres, and actually producing highly original music.

Paul Weller "Wake Up the Nation" (2010)

Wake Up the Nation
release date: Apr. 19, 2010
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,90]
producer: Simon Dine
label: Island Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 2. "Wake Up the Nation" - 3. "No Tears to Cry" - 8. "Find the Torch, Burn the Plans"

10th studio album by Paul Weller following 22 Dreams (Jul. 2008) finds him on repeat - I think. This is his usual formula, as heard on all of his post 2000 albums: in search of producing another Wild Wood (Sep. 1993) album with the right blend of mod revival, singer / songwriter, with hints of pop soul, but it basically lacks great melodies and memorable songs. However, the album was generally met by positive reviews in Britain and it reached number #2 on the UK albums chart list. Furthermore, the album was nominated the Mercury Prize for best album of the year, which was handed to The xx for the album xx.
I'm fully aware that the album is acclaimed, but to me, it simply never unfolds and I don't find it a recommended release.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Slant 4 / 5, Q, The Guardian, The Independent 5 / 5 stars ]