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 ]

Mariza "Fado em mim" (2002)

Fado em mim [debut]

release date: Apr. 2002

format: cd (2016 reissue)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]

producer: Jorge Fernando, Tiago Machado

label: Warner Music Portugal / Parlophone - nationality: Portugal

Track highlights: 1. "Loucura" - 2. "Poetas" - 3. "Chuva" - 4. "Maria Lisboa" - 5. "Ó gente da minha terra" - 6. "Que Deus me perdoe" - 8. "Terra d'água" - 9. "Oiça lá ó Senhor Vinho" - 11. "Oxalá" - 12. "Barco negro"

Studio album debut by Portuguese Mariza (aka Marisa dos Reis Nunes) originally released on Dutch label World Connection residing in Haarlem.

Mariza skyrocketed into Portuguese fame via this very album, although, no national label paid any interest in the music as she was an unproven artist; however, Mariza has soon become one of the most valued performers of the traditional fado.

Fado em mim is not only the essence of a national genre, it's also beautifully arranged and displaying elegance and sophistication on the highest level.

Highly recommended.

[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

Lotte Kestner "At My Most Beautiful" (2023) (single)

At My Most Beautiful, single

release date: Aug. 4, 2023

format: digital (1 x File, FLAC)

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

producer: self-produced

label: self-released (bandcamp) - nationality: USA

Tracklist: "At My Most Beautiful (R.E.M. cover"

Single release and second consecutive R.E.M. cover from Lotte Kestner made available through her bandcamp-profile following the release of the single "Walk Unfraid" (May 2023).

Again, Kestner covers an R.E.M. favourite [the original] from the album Up (1998) and she does that with appropriate conviction. The song remains but heavily rearranged to fit Kestner's lo-fi production and a simple and serene expression. A prediction regarding her next covers relase is likely to feature a handful of covers of the great Athens-band.

The National "First Two Pages of Frankenstein" (2023)

First Two Pages of Frankenstein

release date: Apr. 28, 2023

format: digital (11 x File, FLAC)

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

producer: The National

label: 4AD - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Once Upon a Poolside" (feat. Sufjan Stevens) - 2. "Eucalyptus" - 3. "New Order T-Shirt" - 4. "This Isn’t Helping" (feat. Phoebe Bridgers) - 5. "Tropic Morning News" - 6. "Alien" - 8. "Grease in Your Hair" - 10. "Your Mind Is Not Your Friend" (feat. Phoebe Bridgers) - 11. "Send for Me"

9th studio album by The National follows four years after I Am Easy to Find (Apr. 2019), and it's the band's first of two full-length studio albums in 2023. The album feature a long list of guest appearances, notably counting Sufjan Stevens (track #1), Phoebe Bridgers (tracks #4 & #10), and Taylor Swift (track #7), alongside an extensive number of performing artists.

The National don't stray much from their unique sound but still manage to turn out as a revitalised band, who has managed to incorporate small stylistic variations to their trademark of chamber riden melancholy.

Recommended.

[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone, Clash, Uncut 4 / 5, NME 5 / 5, 👍Pitchfork 6,6 / 10 stars ]

Best of 2023: Anohni and the Johnsons "My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross" (2023)

My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross

release date: Jul. 7, 2023

format: vinyl (LTD. white vinyl) / digital (10 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,12]

producer: Jimmy Hogarth

label: Rough Trade / Secretly Canadian - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "It Must Change" (4 / 5) - 2. "Go Ahead" - 3. "Sliver of Ice" - 4. "Can't" (4 / 5) - 5. "Scapegoat" - 6. "It’s My Fault" (4 / 5) - 9. "Why Am I Alive Now?"

5th studio album by Anohni and the Johnsons (6th by Anohni) follows Hopelessness (May 2016) by Anohni, but more interestingly it continues after the album Swanlights (Oct. 2010), the fourth album in the discography with the Johnson-project after which Anohni put that on a hiatus while seemingly concentrating on a career under the name of Anohni and a period of collaborations and other art projects. All previous releases have been executed with Anohni as producer, but here this role is handed Jimmy Hogarth, who also takes part in the project as guitarist on all tracks. Anohni and Hogarth are the only two instrumentalists featuring on all compositions, and the choice of Hogarth is of course not just a matter of having someone else produce - as a new ingredient or someone with a new and fresh perspective. Hogarth is no novice in the British music industry, and he has recorded albums with soul-influenced artist such as Amy Winehouse, James Morrison, Sia, Duffy, Corinne Bailey Rae, and James Blunt - all artists with bonds to a British version of soul, and that's probably the whole idea: to pay tribute to exactly that source of inspiration.

Thirteen years is an unusual long time in the music business, but if the four studio albums by Antony and the Johnsons are your only reference, then this new album doesn't fall far from that. Anohni is back with chamber pop and pop soul as main ingredients and with an album that is dedicated inacceptable conditions for everyone sticking out on a 'normality' spectre as well as the very existence / destruction of our planet.

Critics have lauded the album as a great return, and I'm already considering it one of the absolute best by this great artist. The musical arrangements are cheerful and fillled with warmth but the lyrics and the lamenting [beautiful] voice of Anohni brings a contrasting element of grief and disaster that nontheless functions brilliantly.

I already consider this part of my top-3 list of the best albums of 2023.

Highly recommended.

The front cover portrays [activist] Marsha P. Johnson, who initially gave name to Anohni's project.

[ 👉Pitchfork 8,7 / 10, 👍NME 4 / 5, Clash 9 / 10, The Observer 5 / 5 stars ]

2023 Favourite releases: 1. Anohni and the Johnsons My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross - 2. Ukendt Kunstner Dansktop - 3. Sigur Rós Átta

Sigur Rós "Átta" (2023)

Átta

release date: Jun. 23, 2023

format: 2 lp vinyl (gatefold - 45 rpm) / digital (10 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]

producer: Sigur Rós, Paul Corley

label: Von Dur / Krúnk - nationality: Iceland

Track highlights: 1. "Glóð" - 2. "Blóðberg" - 3. "Skel" - 4. "Klettur" - 7. "Gold" - 10. "Átta"

8th studio album by Sigur Rós following a whole decade after Kveikur. Since then, the band has released the remix album Route One, the 'endless mixtape' Liminal, Limnial 2, and the soundtrack Odin's Raven Magic (Dec. 2020). In early '22 the band announced that Kjartan Sveinsson had rejoined the band - he had left in early 2012 - again, making it a trio of Jónsi, Hólm and Sveinsson, but still no replacement for drummer Orri Dýrason, the band has made the new album with little focus on drums and percussion. Former touring member (2012-13) Ólafur Ólafsson is credited as additional personnel playing percussion on an album, which also counts London Contemporary Orchestra and several horn instrumentalists. The album is produced by the band and with American sound artist Paul Corley, who was installed as music director for Sigur Rós in 2016.

The album both reinstates former virtues of harmony-driven melodies with especially Jónsi delivering his characteristic singing style but it also appears as a new version combining a quiet ambient sound of keyboards and synths in unison with the addition of strings and horns. It's almost made completely without traces of drums, bass or guitars, but with a compositional 'progressive' ingredient, the songs echo former album moments of sheer beauty.

At first, the album may appear as closed and very etheral, but it contains more when given the attention it deserves. It's not necessarily among the band's most audience-friendly experiences - it may denote introspectiveness and fragility but it comes with 'hidden' layers to unfold, and I really enjoy the musical journey it invites us on. With Átta, Sigur Rós is definitely back on full sails.

Highly recommended.

[ Pitchfork 7,2 / 10, 👍NME, Clash, Exclaim! 4 / 5 stars ]

2023 Favourite releases: 1. Anohni and the Johnsons My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross - 2. Ukendt Kunstner Dansktop - 3. Sigur Rós Átta

Lotte Kestner "Walk Unfraid" (2023) (single)

Walk Unafraid, single

release date: May 30, 2023

format: digital (1 x File, FLAC)

[single rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,68]

producer: self-produced

label: self-released (bandcamp) - nationality: USA

Tracklist: "Walk Unfraid (R.E.M. cover)"

Single release by Lotte Kestner released via the artist's bandcamp-profile in support of #bravehood ('a community of many supporting children in emergency situations').

The original is taken from the R.E.M. album Up (1998), and the song is one of my personal all-time favourites by the great band from Athens, Georgia. Kestner is famous for making cover versions, and this one is a highly remarkable and original version by being a lo-fi stripped-down song but also a multi-layered track by the way she has made use of several tracks in the mixing of the recording - to some extent in an unusual manner in the case of Kestner covers that are often quite simple arrangements. That alone makes it a most interesting version, as she has made lots of covers using only guitar with vocal, or piano with vocal, but to hear how she maintains a minimalist expression while turning up on the arrangement-button is something new and a most welcome introduction to her soundscape.

Cat Power "Covers" (2022)

Covers

release date: Jan. 14, 2022

format: cd (BRC687, Japan)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,56]

producer: Chan Marshall

label: Domino / Beat - nationality:

Track highlights: 1. "Bad Religion" (live) - 3. "Pa Pa Power" - 6. "Against the Wind" - 8. "These Days" - 10. "I Had a Dream Joe" - 12. "I'll Be Seeing You" (4 / 5)

11th studio album by Cat Power following nearly 3½ years after Wanderer (Oct. 2018) is Power's first with Domino after leaving Matador. Cat Power has previously made covers and made it one of her strongest assets. And as the title here suggests, this one appears as a sequel to her The Covers Record from 2000. This new selection more or less copies the idea of covering songs from a large variety of styles and periods. The diversity in the original material is extremely wide, as she covers songs of neo-soul (Frank Ocean), vocal jazz (Billie Holiday), country rock (Bob Seger), celtic rock (The Pogues), folk pop (Jackson Browne), and punk blues (Nick Cave), just to mention one half of the songs. It's an extreme span, although, yes, Cat Power ensures stylistic connection in these new arrangements. I'm just not entirely convinced about the idea to grab songs from any musical shelf to see if it will work. It's possible, yes, but is it that original? And then, she even challenges the idea of having a mutual foundation in the arrangements 'cause there is no common foundation there. "I Had a Dream Joe" comes so close to the original that it somehow sticks out, and several other songs do exactly that - so there goes coherency like it does on her 2000 album. In that regard it's somewhat like repeating what could have been an obvious mistake from her first covers album, although, this new collection betters the former. Chan Marshall is a gifted arranger, and she could possibly have done better when chosing original songs. What on the other hand work really well, is her intense emmotional contribution to well-known songs. She seems capable of covering whatever song and still make it hers. She's an absolute wonderful interpretor and performer - just love that vocal.

Recommendation: probably mostly for fans.

[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5, Pitchfork 7,7 / 10, 👍The Guardian 3 / 5 stars ]

Lotte Kestner "Radiohead Covers" (2023)

Radiohead Covers (ep) (compilation)

release date: Apr. 7, 2023

format: digital (4 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,63]

producer: Anna-Lynne Williams [recorded by]

label: self-released - nationality: USA

Tracklist: 1. "All I Need" - 2. "Motion Picture Soundtrack" - 3. "How to Disappear Completely" - 4. "No Surprises"

Four previously released covers have here been compiled for digital download at Kestner's bandcamp profile. Tracks #1 and #2 are both included on Covers 2 (2020), track #3 was previously included on Covers (2015), and track #4 has previously been available on her bandcamp site. Covers are just a big part of Kestner's music, as most of her releases have included covers, and she has released several singles, eps, and full albums exclusively containing cover songs, so seing Kestner covering Radiohead isn't really a rare thing.

Her speciality, when speaking of covers, is her ability to make her very own and highly original ambient folk-versions of not-folk material, and in that regard it's always fascinating how she chose to arrange these songs.

The four Radiohead songs are all major classics by this great innovative British band and in Kestner's hands they shine anew. I do prefer the originals, but Kestner's versions are still intruiging renditions.

Ukendt Kunstner "Dansktop" (2023)

Dansktop

release date: May 12, 2023

format: vinyl / digital (11 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,04]

producer: Jens Ole McCoy

label: FortyFive / Universal Music - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Hena" - 2. "Dansktop" - 3. "Uden dig" (4,5 / 5) - 4. "Gran Turismo" - 5. "Fastelavn" - 6. "Kerosin" - 7. "Stjernekigger" - 9. "Hele dagen" - 11. "For livet" (4,5 / 5)

3rd studio album from Danish rap-duo Ukendt Kunstner follows more than seven years after Den anden side (Feb. 2016). To the regret of half a nation, the two artists announced the end of their project in late '16 despite experiencing massive success. After this, they both concentrated on solo projects. Composer and producer Jens Ole McCoy especially became renowned for his musical scores to movies but also continued as producer, and Hans Philip, who had been the voice of the band, released two acclaimed solo albums before they dropped the bomb: without any rumours or announcements they released this very album and simultaneously declared they were back! Out of nowhere!! Sneaky, sneaky... wonderful guys!

Not only are they now back, but of course they're back with a musical statement. They don't repeat their previous sucesses but come out with a new sound - it's so much part of their instinct not to repeat. Dansktop is in every sense an original album. It doesn't just play along other rap-artists' styles and sound. These two have made their name and continue in a league of their own, and it appears they (can) do whatever they feel like. The album still brings back bits of the groove from their two previous albums, it takes up some of the fragility from Hans-Philips' solo albums, and then it comes out as something new. There's a simplicity to it but also a will to explore and experiment, and in either or any case: they are near sublime. So many Danish rap and hip hop artists walk around the same bushes, do the same mixes, employ the same productions, but this is just original material. Loved it from day one, and it only gets better!

Highly recommended!

[ Politiken, Gaffa.dk 5 / 6, 👍Soundvenue 4 / 5 stars ]

2023 Favorite releases: 1. Anohni and the Johnsons My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross - 2. Ukendt Kunstner Dansktop - 3. Sigur Rós Átta

<  show lyrics >

~ ~ ~
"Dansktop"

(Det gik op for mig, baby, nu' jeg-)
Dansktop
Ligesom Birthe Kjær
Ligesom Lis og Per
Ligesom Kjeld og ligesom Hilda er jeg dansktop
Ligesom Campeotto
Tjek min konto, ja, det ligner, at jeg vandt i lotto

Baby, nu' jeg dansktop
Ligesom Birthe Kjær
Ligesom Lis og Per
Ligesom Kjeld og ligesom Hilda er jeg dansktop
Ligesom Campeotto
Tjek min konto, ja, det ligner, at jeg vandt i lotto

Baby, nu' jeg dansktop
Ligesom Lille Per
Ligesom Pia Kjærsgaard og ligesom grisetæer
Jeg burde passe på min konto, men kan ik' la' være
For jeg' millionær
Og jeg kigger ik', hvad prisen er

Jeg' dansktop
Ligesom Birthe Kjær
Men de si'r, der' koldt på toppen, ligesom Isaberg
Men hvorfor snakker de om toppen?
Det' på toppen, at de ikke er
Det' jer, der prøver at ligne mig, jeg prøver ik' at ligne jer

Og I' helt okay
Ja, I' faktisk rigtig gode
I' bare ik' HP

Nej, jeg' dansktop
Ligesom Birthe Kjær
Ligesom Lis og Per
Ligesom Kjeld og ligesom Hilda er jeg dansktop
Ligesom Campeotto
Tjek min konto, ja, det ligner, at jeg vandt i lotto
Baby, nu' jeg dansktop

At jeg var den største, har jeg vidst, siden jeg var bittelille
Men om skolen tænkte mor, "hvad skal det blive til?"
For jeg var god med ord, men ik' til matematikken, vel
Nu' livet letter' end en ti-tabel
Kan komme frem til summer ved at tie stille

Bare lad beatet spille
Ja, og det hele kom så pludseligt
Jeg var nede i minus, jeg' tilbage, jeg' i plus igen
Vendte om på ligningen, nu vil alle være Ukendt

Jeg blæser træer, ligesom en vind i skoven
Hun spørger, hvor jeg mon har det fra
Jeg si'r, "det' sendt fra oven"
Nej, dét, du har i venstre hånd
Det ligner estragon
Jeg si'r, det' Cali i næst' sæson
Gør, mine problemer, de er glemt i morgen

Hov, for fanden
Det' årets mand, han går på vand
Og drypper som en sovsekande
Er varmere end Corsica
Men det' vildt, ik?
Siden lille knægt var hans far pist væk
Men selv som spæd ku' han ik' græde over spildt mælk
Har tit tænkt, "sikke en tung smerte for sådan et ungt hjerte"
"At skulle undvære det smukkeste i verden"
"Nu' hans mor alene, kan hun mon bære det?"
Nætterne var sortere end skosværte
Jeg kigger op, slår korsets tegn og ryger blunten færdig
Åh nej, ung knægt, han var delt op i to
Et splittet atom
Så langt nede, at han mistede troen
Han græd tårer, som der glinsede i solen
Turde ikke engang hviske det til nogen
Så han lyttede ikke efter i skolen
Boede, hvor én, han fik en hård psykose
En anden, han døde af overdose
Det samme skete for overboen
Han plantede frøer, der ik' fik lov at gro
Han havde sig selv og så sin overtro
En sæk med tøj, ti smøger og en sovepose
Der' langt derop
Men vi ramte top
Ligesom Campeotto
Nu' vi dansktop
Ligesom Birthe Kjær
Ligesom Lis og Per
Ligesom Kjeld og Hilda er
Og det vildeste er
Vi gemte det bedste til allersidst, ligesom at spise dessert
...og så har jeg ik' mer'

~ ~ ~

Cornelis Vreeswijk "Cornelis' Bästa" (1985)

Cornelis' Bästa, compilation

release date: 1985

format: 2 cd (2010 reissue)

[album rate: 4 / 5]

producer: various

label: DB Records - nationality: Sweden

Best of compilation by Dutch-Swedish troubadour Cornelis Vreeswijk is the only compilation released during his lifetime. The album was originally released as a triple vinyl album on the Norwegian DB label. The album is a mighty fine collection, although, it still feels insufficient. A 2003 2 cd-only compilation with the same title but a different release issued by Metronome appears as a better choice in representing his best material; however, in the case of Vreeswijk with his vast repertoire of songs, any compilation would come out as insufficient but if you only want one album this isn't bad at all.

Vreejswijk deserves this type of recognition, although, his studio albums are preferred over the many compilations. His status as singer / songwriter and a genuine Nordic troubadour puts him on the shelf among the best.

John Cale "Mercy" (2023)

Mercy

release date: Jan. 20, 2023

format: digital (12 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,74]

producer: John Cale, Nita Scott

label: Double Six / Domino - nationality: Wales, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Mercy" (feat. Laurel Halo) - 2. "Marilyn Monroe's Legs (Beauty Elsewhere)" (feat. Actress) - 3. "Noise of You" - 6. "Moonstruck (Nico's Song)" - 8. "Night Crawling" - 9. "Not the End of the World" - 11. "I Know You're Happy" (feat. Tei Shi)

17th (or so?) studio album by John Cale following M:FANS (2016) - which by many isn't really considered an actual new album as it's a redrawing of songs from Music for a New Society from 1982, although, from my perspective it's still a new album containing newly re-arranged songs. A new studio album doesn't necessarily mean new compositions; however, his last to feauture newly written material was Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood (2012).

Cale was 80 years old when he recorded this album, and you could ask yourself if his high age would show on this album - it doesn't! Actually, the album is a most wonderful combo of soft art rock, singer / songwriter and subtle but noticeable electronica. Several tracks are collaborations - the most prominent artist is probably Weyes Blood (on "Story of Blood"). For the moment, I just feel that is one of the weak songs here, but you can't really put a finger on anyone's contribution that lifts this from Cave's shoulders. Through and through, it's the successful product in the spirit of the artist himself.

The album has been met by positive reviews, and I must confess that it strikes me as one of his better and more coherent studio albums. Since the relase, Cale has been on a world tour with the new album.

The album is still new to me - I rate it just under 3,75, but it might just grow stronger during the following months.

Highly recommended.

[ 👍Pitchfork 7,8 / 10, Mojo 4 / 5, Uncut 4,5 / 5 stars ]

U2 "Songs of Surrender" (2023)

Songs of Surrender

release date: Mar. 17, 2023

format: digital (40 x File, MP3)

[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,72]

producer: The Edge [aka David Evans]

label: Island Records - nationality: Ireland

Album by U2 released as a new studio album, which means it succeeds Songs of Experience (Dec. 2017). The album comes in a standard 16 tracks edition (1 disc cd / 2 lp vinyl), or a 'Deluxe Edition' (4 disc cd / 4 lp vinyl) and a number of special issues. At a first glance it could look like a clever marketing construct as all songs here are newly recorded mostly acoustic versions of old songs - all compiled and put together by The Edge, who has 'invited' Bono to put new vocal arrangements to the recordings. Half of the band didn't have to do anything as Clayton and Mullen Jr. didn't even put any work into this The Edge solo project of utilising old recordings and recorded tracks to re-arrange what appears as a coincidental selection.

Old wine on new bottles? Yes, and no. Firstly, the songs are not really new - people, or at least: fans should be familiar with every single composition. And secondly, other artists have with or without success made this type of re-recordings of a back catalogue; however, in this particular case, I don't really spot ANY improvements, and to issue costly deluxe editions of something like this is difficult to see as anything else than profit thinking. I don't find any great versions - perhaps because I already feel done and over with this once great and innovative band, but bottom line: I just don't like it. For me, this band made its last relevant album back in the year 2009, and before that in 2000, and those albums weren't even close to great. Their last truly remarkable album remains Achtung Baby from 1991.

You've probably noticed how their most recent albums share bonding titles, like a smart marketing scoop of sorts, complete without limitations - you may imagine 'Songs of Wonders', 'Songs of Patience'... 'Lust', 'Greed', 'Profit' - at least there's room for many follow-ups in that category: Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience, and now a 'Surrender'-version. Who knows, perhaps a fitting title for an upcoming album is 'Songs of Redundance'? Like the other two, this is not recommended.

[ 👍Pitchfork 5.7 / 10, The Guardian, NME 3 / 5 stars ]

Shocking Blue "Send Me a Postcard" (1968) (single)

l-r.: Cor van der Beek, Mariska Veres
Klaasje van der Wal, Robbie van Leeuwen

Send Me a Postcard, 7'' single

release date: Dec. 14, 1968

format: vinyl (IMA 1002) (1970 issue)

[single rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]

producer: Shocking Blue

label: I. M. A. Records - nationality: The Netherlands

Tracklist: A) "Send Me a Postcard" (4,5 / 5) - - B) "Harley Davidson"

Single release by Dutch rock band Shocking Blue originally released on Pink Elephant in '68 and released for the Scandinavian market with this issue in 1970. The single appears to be the band's only third single and it's one of three consecutive non-album single releases following the band's album debut Shocking Blue (Nov. 1967). The band was formed in '67 and went through changing line-ups with a different output starting with music influenced by The Beatles and a folk pop style as expressed by American quartet Brothers Four, but from '68 when Mariska Veres became the band's lead vocalist after founding member Fred de Wilde left, the band changed style to a bolder psychedelic rock founded in American West Coast blues rock. For this single, the band consists of new member vocalist Marika Veres, and the three founding members: lead guitarist and main songwriter Robbie van Leeuwen, bassist Klaasje van der Wal, and drummer Cor (Cornelis) van der Beek. Both tracks are credited van Leeuwen, and the single became an international hit, which was perceived as a fine attempt with a mix of styles exemplified by Jefferson Airplane and The Doors.

The band continued up until 1974 when songwriter and composer van Leeuwen left to concentrate on his newly formed band Galaxy-Lin, and Shocking Blue then released its final album Good Times (1974) after which Mariska Veres left to pursue a solo career and the band split. Shocking Blue reformed in 1980 in their classic line-up and stayed together until '97 when van Leeuwen now left for good, and from hereon and up until 2006 the band was continued around Veres and new lead guitarist André van Geldorp with a changing line-up. The band was put to an abrupt end Dec. 2006 as Mariska Veres died from newly detected cancer.

Shocking Blue was much more than just a few single hits, and among them definitely Send Me a Postcard - they showed an alternative to American and British psychedelic rock, which isn't just covers and copy, and together with Danish band Savage Rose, they stand as a strong European contribution to the vast pool of rock and to the formation and the development of psychedelic rock of the 1970s.

This Swedish issue of the single, released three months after the band's third album Scorpio's Dance (Sep. 1970), was part of my older brother's record collection, and it's a single I vividly recall from age 10-14 years of age - and at that time, it was one of my absolute favourite rock songs.

~ ~ ~

This post is part of MyMusicJourney, which enlists key releases that have shaped my musical taste when growing up and until age 14. Most of these releases come from my parents' and / or my older brother's collection.

l-r.: Robbie, Cornelis, Mariska, Klaasje

Everything but the Girl "Fuse" (2023)

Fuse

release date: Apr. 21, 2023

format: vinyl (LTD. green vinyl) + digital (10 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,80]

producer: EBTG

label: Buzzin' Fly / Virgin Music / Verve - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Nothing Left to Lose" (4,5 / 5) - 3. "Caution to the Wind" - 4. "When You Mess Up" - 6. "No One Knows We're Dancing" - 7. "Lost" (4 / 5) - 8. "Forever" - 10. "Karaoke"

11th studio album following Temperamental by more than 23 years!!! Yes! The waiting game is over - it's finally here! I received this the day after its official release. And it still feels a bit early to hand a 'fixed' grade, and I may change it over the following months. The album has quite naturally been met by positive response. Alone the wait secures this a decent response, though, it's damn nice that not all artists wait that long in between albums. Both Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt have released solo albums since what was until now seen as their final album as a duo, and they have both experienced some artistic success, although, their key brand is EBTG.

Now, if the cover art doesn't exactly look and feel like an EBTG album, the music surely does. In every possible way this is an album for people who love this duo - for what their legacy means. It appears to combine [the fuse?] almost all their stylistic variations from jazzy bits, a great deal of sophisti-pop and parts of their late electronic period. In that way, it doesn't bring about something extraordinary or introduce us to a new move. Where Walking Wounded (1996) was a major step into electronic clubland and Temperamental (1999) kicked in doors to new combinations, this one takes off as a more gentle kind. Not that EBTG has ever been 'hard' or extreme, it's obvious to point to a maturity, when in fact it's probably more the result of a condensed expression - highlighting many of the styles they have been involved with. Or: at least these are my personal initial thoughts 'cause they really sound like EBTG without hitting a copy / paste function.

"Nothing Left to Lose" is a monster of a song that brings to mind the very best from their late period, but again, it's not a copy but something that brings the band into a new era. It's really wonderful to have another album from this highly influential duo. Watt knows about colouring the mix and Thorn... well, she just blows you over with her enchanting vocal. Strong as ever. Again. I already love it!

Highly recommended.

[ 👉allmusic.com, Mojo, NME 4 / 5, Pitchfork 7,7 / 10, Clash 4,5 / 5 stars ]

Scatterbrain "Strip the Future" (1983), single

Strip the Future, 12'' single
release date: 1983
format: vinyl (neu 80-4405)
[single rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,32]
producer: Scatterbrain
label: Neuland Tonträger - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: A) "Strip the Future" - - B) 1. "Diversity" - 2. "Angry Young Men"

Single release by Danish experimental electro-synth and synth rock band Scatterbrain following the release of the album Keep Dancing (Aug. 1981). The line-up has been expanded with keyboardists Jesper Ranum, who took part in the follow-up tour of the album release, and also with Michael Kastrup Hansen. For this recording, also Henrik Heigren and Anders Brill (from Kliche) contribute.
The single was originally released in '82 as a 7'' single on Irmgardz... with this 12'' single consisting of new recordings and new arrangements made for the German market. After this, the line-up changed again with Ranum leaving the band, and drummer Gorm Ravn-Jonsen (later in Gangway) was shortly a new member, then Anders Brill was promoted to new stable drummer togeher with Torben Kirkholt (of Næste Uges TV), and as the band then released its final album Mountains Go Rhythmic (1984) this was made with actual drummers, thus representing a change of sound, which in essence was what would later be labeled as industrial rock, and in that regard the band has as an important part in shaping new stylistic foundation somewhere in the outskirts of new wave and synthpop.

Love Shop "Blues Europa" (2023)

Blues Europa

release date: Oct. 13, 2023

format: digital (10 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,55]

producer: Mikkel Damgård

label: Risiko Records - nationality: Denmark

14th studio album by Danish project Love Shop is yet another ambitious chapter in the band's long and winding career. The album showcase the familiar mix of melancholic tunes and lyrical depth that has come to charachterise Love Shop on their most recent albums. It's garnered with a original sound and with thought-provoking narratives, which just seems to stick to the profile of project-leader Jens Unmack.

Right from the start, you sense the special nostalgic mood and that unique reflectiveness Unmack is so sharp on. These new songs only miss some of the potent power of a recognisable touch and the album does feel less impactful compared to their last three albums. The predecessor, Levende mænd i døde forhold (Oct. 2021), was perhaps most notable for its lyrical depth and together with Brænder boksen med smukke ting (Mar. 2019) and Risiko (Mar. 2017) this trilogy all showcase well-crafted arrangements and emotional weight, cementing these as vintage years and also as some of the band's finest records. Blues Europa doesn’t fully replicate this tendency with the fourth in a row, though lyrically strong, it lacks some originality that are the trademarks of the predecessors.

On a national scale, the album has been met by what appears as universal acclaim, and as I do feel that it certainly provides a strong listen with tracks reflecting on themes of European identity and where the ambition is clear, I just sense that there's something in the execution that feels forced, making parts come out more like statements rather than a genuine musical journey. For all its minor flaws, Blues Europa still showcases fine moments, reminding fans why they love Love Shop in the first place. There's no big surprises in that regard - perhaps there's a sensation of going down well-known paths that makes it too evident, in a way. In the end, though, it's still an album worth exploring, especially for loyal followers of the band, who will probably see it as a confirmation of sorts, even if it doesn’t quite live up to the standards set by their recent works. I'm a bit doubtful about a conclusive grade, as I have come across some very positive reviews, and still, I'm not a convinced fan and have so far settled my mind on 3,5 out of 5 stars, as I feel that it doesn't reach the level of the most recent three, which in the end puts it more alongside Kærlighed og straf from 2014.

[ Gaffa.dk, Politiken 5 / 6 stars ]

The Smile "A Light for Attracting Attention" (2022)

A Light for Attracting Attention [debut]

release date: May 13, 2022

format: digital (13 x File, FLAC - XL1196DA

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]

producer: Nigel Godrich

label: XL Recordings - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "The Same" - 2. "The Opposite" - 3. "You Will Never Work in Television Again" (live on KEXP) - 6. "Speech Bubbles" (live) - 7. "Thin Thing" - 9. "Free in the Knowledge" - 11. "Waving a White Flag" - 13. "Skrting on the Surface" (live)

[ full KEXP live performance, Dec. 2022 ]

Studio debut by project-trio The Smile consisting of the two Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood together with Sons of Kemet-drummer Tom Skinner. The project is one of many offspring-projects during the COVID-19 lockdown. The album counts 13 tracks with a total running time of 53 mins.

Sonically, it appears as another take on the Radiohead / Atoms for Peace musical universe founded on experimental progressive (art) rock - and here with stronger focus on the electric guitar as opposed to Yorke's solo works and the music Yorke made with Atoms for Peace, where electronic equipment takes up a more present role, but it's also music where the rhythm section really unfolds thanks to Tom Skinner's sense for jazz drumming. In that regard, The Smile offers more room for Greenwood and Skinner - and then, it doesn't fall far from later albums by Radiohead except for being more loose.

Thom Yorke is credited as vocalist and for other instrumentation, he's songwriter and together with Greenwood, Skinner and producer Godrich they're all credited as composers.

The album was met by critical acclaim - several critics noting that there's not much new going on but also answering that it doesn't matter too much because the songs feel new and it just sounds great.

Recommended.

[ 👍allmusic.com, Rolling Stone, NME, The Guardian 4 / 5, Pitchfork 8,6 / 10 stars ]

Scatterbrain "Keep Dancing" (1981)

Keep Dancing [debut]

release date: Aug. 1981

format: vinyl (IRMG 3) / digital (10 x File, FLAC) (2005 remaster)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,68]

producer: Scatterbrain, Anders Lind

label: Irmgardz... / Glorious Records - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Neo-Love Tango" - 3. "Vatican Reggae" - 4. "Crosses of Verdun" - 6. "Ice Age" - 8. "Insect Danger" - 10. "Keep Dancing!"

Studio album debut by Danish band Scatterbrain originally released on Irmgardz... The band here consists of founding members Jesper Siberg on vocals, keyboards & electronic percussion, Hilmer Hassig on guitars & synths, Jens Erik Mose on bass & synths, and Morten Torp on vocals & synths. Despite only releasing two albums, Scatterbrain has quite a substantial legacy in Danish music history, where the band stands as forerunners and as the first actual synth-rock band coming out on the punk rock scene.

In retrospect, the band appears influenced by Joy division and to what was perceived as a growing art punk scene at the time counting artist like Magazine, Visage, Gary Numan, and Ultravox and apart from these musical contemporaries it also seems that artists like King Crimson, Brian Eno, and Kraftwerk should be included amongst the band's natural sources of inspiration. This also include inspiration from artistic ideas of visual arts and authors, and Scatterbrain build on cold war politics and a de-humanisation of society, which is also reflected in some of the aforementioned artists' music (with bonds to David Bowie and Lou Reed) and also a similar starting point of contemporary Danish author Michael Strunge and his poetry, e.g. "Skrigerne" (1980) and "Vi folder drømmens faner ud" (1981).

Keep Dancing came out to positive reviews but the band and its music didn't attract a wider audience and Scatterbrain was first and foremost a cult-like band. In retrospect, however, Keep dancing and the band's second album Mountains Go Rhythmic (1984) both stands as highly original releases with the debut as an album that has found status as a cornerstone in modern Danish rock-history.

At the time, I came across the debut and I kept an illegal copy of the record, which I both found challenging but also quite fascinating and unforgettable, although, I also saw it as strange and too experimental for my liking. Many years later, as of 2023, I got hold of the original vinyl issue, and it's definitely an album to know of.

Recommended.

Gorillaz "Cracker Island" (2023)

Cracker Island

release date: Feb. 23, 2023

format: digital (10 x File, FLAC)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,65]

producer: Gorillaz and Greg Kurstin

label: Parlophone / Warner - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Cracker Island" (feat. Thundercat) - 2. "Oil" (feat. Stevie Nicks) - 3. "The Tired Influencer" - 4. "Silent Running" (feat. Adeleye Omotayo) - 7. "Tarantula" (feat. Bad Bunny) - 9. "Skinny Ape"

8th studio album under the Gorillaz alias, Damon Albarn once again finds time and room to continue his virtual albeit quite succesful band whenever he's not consuming time with The Good, The Bad & The Queen, or producing stuff for Blur, or he's doing solo projects. The majority of the songs are credited Albarn and new producer Greg Kurstin, but as has become the usual working process, several tracks are co-written with various others. On this it's primarily artists of hip hop and rap. Also, longtime associate Remi Kabaka Jr. is co-producer on four tracks and co-composer on track #8, which also feature Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny (aka Benito Martinez). Track #1 feature Thundercat (aka Stephen Bruner), track #5 feature both Tame Impala and Bootie Brown - the latter first featured on a Gorillaz' single on the track "Dirty Harry" on the band's second album, and then the album also feature two major artists: Stevie Nicks on vocals exclusively on track #2 and Beck (aka Beck Hansen), also as co-composer, on the end track.

Albarn just never seems to disappoint. In contemporary popular music he acts like a fish in water. Whatever he's involved in comes out as right on current parameters for music in tune with what's being asked for. He's no entertainer in a traditional sence, but he certainly knows how to produce entertaining music. At a first listen I thought this one - for once - wasn't quite there, on the spot. But after a few spins, I have to confess, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Cracker Island. It's funky, and it's danceable and entertaining as f...., and thanks to the decision not to dwell on an earlier will to write and compose with various artists from (too) diverse genres and styles, the album is with aid from Remi and Kurstin the experience of one whole rather than a compilation of sorts - as his nonetheless great predecessor Song Machine, Season One - Strange Timez from 2020.

The album has found its way to the top of the British albums chart and has generally been well-received internationally.

Highly recommended.

[ allmusic.com, Clash, NME, 👍The Guardian 4 / 5, PopMatters 4,5 / 5, 👎Pitchfork 6,5 / 10 stars ]