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Club 8
Strangely Beautiful
Stereo Test Kit
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Article
written by James G
Jul 17, 2005.
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First there are ‘rock’ bands, that sneerily strangle screams out their geetahs, while drummers flail behind. Then there are ‘indie’ bands that usually possess an altogether gentler approach, wistfully strumming acoustic guitars and half-speak their vocals. Then there are the REALLY understated acts, that espouse anything too ‘rawky’, in favour of subtle, subtle, changes in melody, rhythm and emphasis. Swedish duo Club 8 make the last mentioned acts sound like Witchfynder or Discharge (look them up!) on speed. Doing an impression of Megadeth. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating slightly, but this is restrained. Gentle. Gentler than gentle. And it’s absolutely fantastic. All credit to Club 8 for realising they do what they do so well, and therefore not trying to do everything else too. A one trick ‘my little pony’? Well, yes, maybe, but it’s so lovely. As each track goes by, they seem to pull you further and further into their soft, fluffy world, until by the time ‘Cold Hearts’ is in full flow, a quick check of the medical equipment by my bed shows my heartrate has slowed to that of a frozen sloth, such is the calm being generated by the music and delicious vocals of Karolina Komstedt.
Air, St Etienne, The Cardigans and Camera Obscura are all supplied as reference points, yet, without wanting to labour the point, I would suggest that most of ‘Strangely Beautiful’ is gentler still. Criticisms? Maybe the lyrics don’t bear too much analysis, being predominantly of the ‘me and you’ variety. And penultimate track, the appalling ‘Saturday Night Engine’, shows why the rest of the album works so well. But other than that, this is wonderful.
Link:
Untitled Document
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