Archive for the ‘100 Great Albums’ Category
#47. Alfred Hall – Wilderness
Posted on: May 1, 2013
Artist/Band: Alfred Hall
Album: Wilderness
Country: Norway
Released: 1 March, 2013
Favorite tracks: ALL – from beginning to end!
Not only is Wilderness one of the best debut albums I have ever come across (their perfectly balanced, breezy sound is something bands spend years trying to find) but more so, this album provided a beautifully soft landing for me, as I returned to Norway in cold mid-March.
This music is what I missed during my trip but perhaps that makes it even more special. It builds a bridge between those wild travelling days and these beautiful homebound times.
Songs that speak of wild hearts, foreign coasts and feeling safe & sound.
Sounds like my life.
#46. Mando Diao – Infruset
Posted on: March 23, 2013
Artist/Band: Mando Diao
Album: Infruset (‘Frozen’)
Country: Sweden
Released: October 2012
Favorite tracks: En Sångarsaga, Infruset, Strövtåg i Hembygden
Mando Diao has been one of my favourite Swedish rock bands since their debut album Bring Em’ In 2002. But a lot has happened since then. They have sold millions of records, played Coachella, released an MTV Unplugged album and their Greatest Hits.
Just when we thought they were ready to take over the World, they do the complete opposite; they turn to our homeland and release an album, not only in Swedish, but with lyrics by the 20th century poet Gustaf Fröding.
Makes me patriotic and proud.
#45. Mando Diao – Bring Em In
Posted on: March 23, 2013
Artist/Band: Mando Diao
Album: Bring Em’ In
Country: Sweden
Released: 2002 (August 2003 in USA)
Web: Mando Diao Official Website
Favorite tracks: Motown Blood, Mr Moon, The Band, To China with Love and Lady.
This album came out the same year as The Hives, another big Swedish rock band, was having international success with “Hate To Say I Told You So”. And it is a mystery to me that Mando Diao didn’t receive the same attention when their songs are just as powerful but if anything, more melodious.
Many of the songs of the album are original demo-recordings from the young boys’ basement, which creates that raw garage sound.
According to Wikipedia the song “The Band” is about a fight between the band’s two singers. It was written when singer/songwriter Gustaf Norén wanted to leave the band and move away from their hometown of Borlänge in Dalarna. Björn Dixgård, the band’s other singer/songwriter, wrote the chorus of the song to Norén after their fight to reveal his side of the argument.
Norén returned to the band after hearing Dixgård’s song.
The band reconciled, and Norén wrote the verses to the song.
The rest is history.
#44. Alabama Shakes – Boys & Girls
Posted on: May 1, 2012
Band: Alabama Shakes
Album: Boys & Girls
Country: USA
Released: April 2012
Web: Official Website
Favourite tracks: Every single one!
I’m not even going to try to explain this, it’s obvious that this is fricking awesome music! I’ve been listening to this album for two weeks straight now and I know I will listen to it years to come! Like a modern Janis Joplin, the lead singer Brittany Howard totally rip her heart out but with more soberness, stamina and soul than her kindred sister. Although this is doubtlessly timeless music, it is the best new release this year.
#43. The Black Keys – El Camino
Posted on: May 1, 2012
Band: The Black Keys
Album: El Camino
Country: USA
Released: December 2011
Web: http://www.theblackkeys.com/
Favourite tracks: Every single one!
Here it is: The Black Keys is my favourite band out of all time! Obviously that’s a bold statement but I just can’t think of a band that have released so many songs that have everything I search for in a song. Listening to The Black Keys is aching desire and pure satisfaction all wrapped up and released at the same time. With lack of better words, it’s the sound of sex.
#42. Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again
Posted on: May 1, 2012
Artist/Band: Michael Kiwanuka
Album: Home Again
Released: March 2012
Country: UK
Web: Official Website
Favourite songs: Tell Me A Tale, I’m Getting Ready, I’ll Get Along, Rest, Home Again, Bones, Any Day Will Do Fine, They Say I’m Doing Just Fine
There has definitely been a kind of “back to basic” music breeze blowing for a while, and Michael Kiwanuka is like the core of the tornado, sweeping over the World with his classic soul sound, closest compared to the one of Bill Withers, Otis Redding and Van Morrison. This is absolutely timeless, honest, wonderful music and I’m so bummed I missed his show here in Oslo last week. But I know he’ll be around for a while.
Band: Of Monsters And Men
Album: My Head Is An Animal
Country: Iceland
Released: September 2011 in Iceland, April 2012 in USA
Web: Official Website
Favourite tracks: Dirty Paws, King and Lionheart, Slow and Stead, From Finner, Six Weeks, Love Love Love, Your Bones, Sloom, Lakehouse, Yellow Light
Of Monsters And Men full-lenght debut album offers so much more than the eccentric hit singles Little Talks and Six Weeks first suggested. It catches you from the first listen with its familiar folk-sound and catchy chorus. But the greatness lies in the instrumental arrangements, the profound voices and the wonderfully whimsical lyrics, telling little quirky tales of deep forests and vast oceans.
#40. Deportees – Islands & Shores
Posted on: March 16, 2012
Artist/Band: Deportees
Album: Islands & Shores
Released: 19th of October 2011
Country: Sweden
Web: Deportees Website
Favourite songs: Islands & Shores, Doctor In Me, A Heart Like Yours In A Time Like This, Medicate It Right, Warpaint, Carry No Blow, A New Name To Go By, The Wild In Me, When Buildings Sleep, Future Shocks ( = all!)
Each season there is an album that stands out from the rest. Veronica Maggio’s “Välkommen in” captured the essence of those bright Scandinavian summer nights, Ben Howard’s “Every Kingdom” kept me warm and happyhearted in the fall and Deportees’ “Islands & Shores” shed light on the the long, dark winter days.
The album received great reviews and awards in Sweden but they are still an unknown band to the rest of the world. It wasn’t until Lykke Li tweeted about the collaborating song “A New Name to Go By” that media caught interest.
.
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Islands & Shores is a profound album. It’s heartfelt without being emotional. It’s complex without being complicated. It’s got depth but instead of dwelling in it, it’s basking in the sunlight, hopeful and reassured.
From the first, doubtlessly most catchy track “Islands & Shores” via the love-drenched “A Heart Like Yours In A Time Like This”, through steel-drums, strings, percussion, choirs and multi-layers arrangements to the delightful love celebration of “Future Shocks”, the album tells beautiful stories that I find myself listening to over and over again.
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#39. Ben Howard – Every Kingdom
Posted on: October 15, 2011
Artist: Ben Howard
Album: Every Kingdom
Released: 30th September 2011
Country: England
Favourite tracks: Old Pine, The Wolves, Only Love, Diamonds, The Fear, Keep Your Head Up, Gracious (Depth Over Distance – from Keep Your Head Up EP)
Web: http://www.myspace.com/benhoward
I published The Wolves here 13th of September and wrote that Ben Howard sounded much like other contemporary folk-rock singer-songwriters. Truth be told, at that point I had heard 2-3 songs of his and thought they sounded similar to a lot of other stuff.
Now, after the release of his debut album, having heard his old EP and live sessions on Spotify and YouTube and I take that back and say that this guy is incredibly talented and one to stick around.
And his show here at BLÅ in Oslo, 26th November is going to be one the highlights of the year.
#38. Florence + the Machine – Lungs
Posted on: May 24, 2011
Artist: Florence + the Machine
Album: Lungs
Released: 2009
Country: UK
Web: Official Website
Favourite tracks: Dog Days Are Over, Rabbit Heart, Howl, Drumming Song, Between Two Lungs, Cosmic Love, Blinding
This album has been playing steadily on my iPod for two years and I never seem to grow tired of it. The deep and haunting sound, the piercing words, the passionate portray of a love affair, from the intro: Happiness hit her, like a train on a track…to the end: No more dreaming like a girl so in love with the wrong world.
I hear they are making a new album and I am waiting with anticipation.
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