Club 8

The Swedish duo Karolina Komstedt and Johan Angergård return for Club 8's 3rd album. Here their signature sound is fully developed (hushed whispery reverberating vocals from Komstedt), where the previous "The Friend I Once Had" had the band playing around and experimenting with trippy dubby sounds. Also Angergård returns to his part time vocal duties."Love in December" opens with a vibroluxed guitar riff before a rim-clicked snare drum propels the song into a melodic pop rumination. "Boyfriends Stay" is a nagging piece sweetened only by Komstedt's breathy hush of a voice intertwining with a plangent harmonica."She Lives By the Water" is an gorgeous, lush creation, shimmering the crests of each wave as emotions ebb majestically towards shore. An crisped snare played with brushes tremble beneath a drone before xylophone belltones chime in for the chorus. (electronic)String accompaniement mix with rattling percussion."Falling from Grace" has Angergård hiply shuffling back into the picture after being vocally absent from the last album. Komstedt joins him for the chorus and happily our duo is back together audibly reunited."Hope for Winter" illustrates how the "new" setting for Karolina's voice makes all the difference when paired with the earlier sound from Nouvelle. Of course, the chiming xylophone adds a brilliance to the overall crispness carrying the band away from their early Smiths influence."A Place in My Heart" is my probably one of my two most favorite Club 8 song. The tremoloed guitar brings a sentimental feeling to the surface:"the streets still look quite dark.their closing down something that we started.""I don't need anyone" with nothing but a voice, a guitar, two snapping finger and a dozen chirping birds. A great loner anthem (I am a noted authority on the subject)."Keeping Track of time" closes with Angergård taking the lead vocals. Hip, full of squeaks, over a shuffle rhythm and cool swatches of guitar here and there. Minimal, economical, and kinda groovy.

The Swedish duo Karolina Komstedt and Johan Angergård return for Club 8's 3rd album. Here their signature sound is fully developed (hushed whispery reverberating vocals from Komstedt), where the previous "The Friend I Once Had" had the band playing around and experimenting with trippy dubby sounds. Also Angergård returns to his part time vocal duties."Love in December" opens with a vibroluxed guitar riff before a rim-clicked snare drum propels the song into a melodic pop rumination. "Boyfriends Stay" is a nagging piece sweetened only by Komstedt's breathy hush of a voice intertwining with a plangent harmonica."She Lives By the Water" is an gorgeous, lush creation, shimmering the crests of each wave as emotions ebb majestically towards shore. An crisped snare played with brushes tremble beneath a drone before xylophone belltones chime in for the chorus. (electronic)String accompaniement mix with rattling percussion."Falling from Grace" has Angergård hiply shuffling back into the picture after being vocally absent from the last album. Komstedt joins him for the chorus and happily our duo is back together audibly reunited."Hope for Winter" illustrates how the "new" setting for Karolina's voice makes all the difference when paired with the earlier sound from Nouvelle. Of course, the chiming xylophone adds a brilliance to the overall crispness carrying the band away from their early Smiths influence."A Place in My Heart" is my probably one of my two most favorite Club 8 song. The tremoloed guitar brings a sentimental feeling to the surface:"the streets still look quite dark.their closing down something that we started.""I don't need anyone" with nothing but a voice, a guitar, and a snapping finger. A great loner anthem (I am a noted authority on the subject)."Keeping Track of time" closes with Angergård taking the lead vocals. Hip, full of squeaks, over a shuffle rhythm and cool swatches of guitar here and there. Minimal, economical, and kinda groovy.

Ever experience weather that's both cool and warm at the same time? Well, that's the sensation that Club 8 radiate - a mix of polar elements, all occurring simultaneously. Swedish duo Karolina Komstedt and Johan Angergard combine light as fluff melodies and deep blue sounds with end-of-the-season melancholia, all articulated by Komstedt's breathy croon: "So you drift / when the days grow cold / away from me / and won't look back," she sings wistfully on the album's opening track, "Love in December. This sets the tone of the album, which is shot through with a burnished Bergman-esque icy despair. The occasional glistening chorus, as on whispery "Falling From Grace" or the trip-hoppy "Keeping Track of Times," gives a sense of uplift - until you listen closely to what's being sung. Not that "Club 8" is a complete drag, but I wouldn't suggest putting it on if you're having a long, dark night of the soul.

In a few words : don't miss a cd of this group.Each one of them is a little diamond.Heavenly female vocals with sweet guitar tunes.Not U.S.A.Not BritishJust Sueden pop at it's best !!!