I love Modest Mouse - best band ever. Made it to blue, thanks for everything! Long way until violet,...
I love Modest Mouse - best band ever. Made it to blue, thanks for everything! Long way until violet, though.
Thanks for all the nice ratings and everything, it's very much appreciated.
Member since:02.08.2005
Reviews:18
Members who trust:8
♥ Biography
The Cardigans are a 5 piece band hailing from Sweden. The band are made up like so: Nina Persson - vocals Peter Svensson - guitar Bengt Lagerberg - drums Magnus Sveningsson - bass Lasse Johansson - keyboard, acoustic guitar
This album was produced in June 1998, when the group collaborated with long-time producer Tore Johansson at his personal studio, Country Hell, which is located in Malmo, Sweden and recorded this album, "Gran Turismo". "Gran Turismo" then went on to reach more than 2.5 million sales worldwide. The reason I still think this warrants a review so long after release is because it's a classic - and although it's not perfect, it's still better than most of the recently released stuff by other similar bands.
♥ Track listing and rating
I'm going to do a standard track by track rating on this one, seeing as that's what people seem to like (if you don't then please tell me, 'cos I don't really enjoy writing these as much!).
1.Paralyzed - 9/10 This isn't probably the best start to an album but it's still a stunning song. It's quite haunting but still made sweet with Nina's vocals. ''This is where your sanity gives in, and love begins.''
2.Erase/Rewind
- 10/10 This is the first out of two of the more famous tracks on this album - both were released as singles. You've probably all heard this one and I have to say it's an amazing pop song - great tune, great guitars, great beat. It has quite repetitive lyrics, though. ''I said it's fine before, but I don't think so no more.''
3.Explode - 7.5/10 This is one of those songs that you have to listen to a few times before you can decide if you really like it. At first I wasn't really taken with it, the lyrics seemed stupid and the song was too slow, but after a few listens I really like it, and it's really catchy. ''And you rely on what you get high on, as long as it serves you.''
4.Starter - 9/10 Although this song didn't stand out to me on first listen, again, it grew on me. It's got a slow beginning but really gets into a great tune and great guitars/synth later on, with the amazing vocals which really make The Cardigans who they are. ''This is the age when my past should be gone.''
5.Hanging Around - 9/10 This song has a great tune right from the beginning, but again it's one of their slower songs which I'm really not bothered about. However, on this song at least, the guitar and drums are a lot stronger than usual, which is a bonus. ''I wonder what it's like, seeing through your eyes. You've offered me to have a try but I was always late.''
6.Higher - 9/10 I don't usually like The Cardigan's efforts at slow songs or 'ballads' but this one has haunting vocals (my favourite!) and not a bad backing - well worth the listen. ''I'm glad you came around today, I sure need a good companion.''
7.Marvel Hill - 7/10 This song is quite boring, but again, it grows on you. I still don't really like this much, although everything seperatly is great, together it's just not an amazing song like the rest. ''A postcard from where life is athrill, on top of Marvel Hill.''
8.My Favourite Game - 10/10 This is my favourite song on the album - and the other one of the more famous songs on the album. This song is great, slower than Erase/Rewind but still just as catchy and with another set of great lyrics/vocals. ''I'm losing my favourite game, I'm losing my mind again.''
9.Do You Believe - 9/10 This song is another good upbeat track but it's got quite an odd beginning, like out of tune guitars. Anyway, I really like this song because it's got my favourite lyrics out of them all, and great singing by Nina again. ''Do you really think that love is gonna save the world?''
10.Junk Of The Hearts - 10/10 This song is a great ending to the album (better than the real ending, which I usually skip...) and it's got everything that I want in a pop song. This is the one I usually end up singing! ''I've given all of me and you crave for more. Weird how this makes us feel insecure, that's what friends are for!''
11.Nil - 5/10 This song is an instrumental and I have to say that it doesn't benefit at all from it. Nina's vocals are my favourite part of The Cardigans and without them it's just an average song - not even that really.
♥ My overall opinion
I have to say that this album isn't really suitable for listening to all the time. You know there are some albums which you can just put on at any moment in time and enjoy them? Well I, personally, have to be in a certain frame of mind to listen to this. I also think that some of it can be quite repetative in some places, because of the way Nina's vocals are dulled down on here, especially on the slower songs, of which there are many. I would also say that there needs to be more variety on here as after you've heard one of their slow songs, you've probably already heard at least 2 of the others, if you know what I mean! I would probably recommend that you get 'First Band On The Moon' first, as although I don't own that (that's why I'm not reviewing that one!), I've listened to it a few times and I didn't get bored with listening to that album, as the tracks have more variety, and that CD has the fabulous 'Love Fool' on which is definatly one of my favourite songs by The Cardigans. I would give this release a 8.5/10.
♥ Other releases
"Long Gone Before Daylight" CD/LP (Stockholm Records/Universal Music, 2003) "I Sing Because Of You", Righteous Boy - Magnus Sveningsson's solo project (Stockholm Records 2002) "A Camp", A Camp - Nina Persson's solo project (Stockholm Records 2001) "Gran Turismo Overdrive" CD maxi/12" vinyl, Ltd edition (Stockholm Records, 1999) "Gran Turismo" CD/MC (Stockholm Records, 1998) "First Band On The Moon" CD/MC (Stockholm Records, 1996) "Life" CD/MC/LP (Stockholm Records, 1995) "Emmerdale" CD-album (Stockholm Records, 1994)
Advantages: Nina's angelic voice, and the perfect blend of instruments to get you on the move Disadvantages: A few weaker tracks that stop the album from standing out.
Sep 16th, 2005
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