Gran Turismo - Cardigans (The) > Reviews > From Swede virgin to very much a Swede lover

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Excellent

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 .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The Cardigans are a 5 piece Indie/Pop/Rock from Sweden, and ‘Gran Turismo is their fourth album which was released in 1998. I seem to recall this album actually being the first CD I ever bought, and while it’s not been played quite so much recently it’s still an album I like to listen to every once in a while.
I had heard of them before this as some of you may remember one of their earlier songs ‘Lovefool’, which appeared on the soundtrack to Baz Lurman’s Romeo + Juliet. When I saw this album in a shop I didn’t hesitate in buying it after just hearing that one song of theirs. While the album doesn't blow me away, I certainly don't regret my purchase.

The first track on the album is ‘Paralyzed’ which captures the essence of the song beautifully, as you’ll find yourself stopping your activities just losing yourself in its haunting sound and thought provoking lyrics. The song is very mellow with the drums and guitars in perfect harmony, allowing Nina Persson’s delicate voice to take over the song that will leave your breathless.

Up next is the toe tapping ‘Erase/Rewind’, while not a track you’ll be shaking your booty too you’ll find it an upbeat one compared to the previous track. The introductions of the acoustic guitar, mixed perfectly with a steady beat on the drums, and add to that Nina’s silky vocals and your left with a track that wouldn’t go a miss on your car stereo on a hot summer’s day.

Enchanting melodies is what this band does best, and this is clearly the case with the third track ‘Explode’. Nina’s angelic voice mixed with the heavenly sounds of an organ make this track perfect for helping you to wind down after a hard day at work. My one fault with ‘Explode’ albeit a small one is I felt the drums were unnecessary, while not ruining the track for me it wasn’t in keeping with the relaxing feel the rest of it had.

One of my favourite tracks off the album would have to be ‘Starter’, with its more edgy feel to it than the previous tracks. It starts off slowly with just the beat of a drum and Persson's childlike voice sweeping over it. This track however builds up and while not explosive, the electronic guitar mixed with the drums makes this a livelier track to get you moving and perfect for a long road trip.

To follow that little beauty up is another favourite of mine and that is ‘Hanging Around’. This track like the previous seems them break more into the pop/rock territory, where they seem just as comfortable as they do with their more laid back ones.
With an array of instruments featuring electric guitar, drums and keyboard to name but a few, they all blend together to produce a track that fans of Garbage are used to hearing. It’s just one you’ll find unable to keep your feet still too, as towards the end it builds up into such a frenzy it’s seems world’s away from the first track off the album.

The saying goes what must go up, must come down and that it very explicable to the rather lack luster ‘Higher’. While I enjoy their slower more angelic tracks, this one just doesn’t do anything for me. It’s hard to put my finger on what it is that I don’t like about this one, as Nina’s voice is again faultless and the music is certainly relaxing to listen to. Listening to it now for the third time while writing this review I think that it’s because nothing stands out enough to make a lasting impression. It’s sleep inducing but in a bad way, and while other tracks on the album are similar they just seem to induce more life into them.

Take it or leave it is very apt for ‘Marvel Hill’, as while it certainly picks up in tone from the previous track, it just takes too long to get going. While listening to it I get the sense that nobody could decide on whether it should be a melody or a rock/pop track. Both genres without a doubt sound good on its own, but mixed up the track just ends up messy.

Things pick up again with a well known track of theirs ‘My Favourite Game’. This one has a very raw feel to it, it’s passionate, it’s edgy, it’s all the things that you want it to be when you want to feel invigorated. Nina’s voice is huskier this time around which works perfectly with the rousing guitars and clash of drums, making this one a huge hit with the public who were left unimpressed with some of their previous efforts.

Up next is a track that I was unsure of when I heard it for the first time, but have grown to quite like now. ‘Do You Believe’ is similar to ‘Marvel Hill’ as it features a mix of sounds, but while that one didn’t work for me this one has got the blend just about right. Its blend of harmonizing melodies mixed with the raw sound of guitars and the drums works surprisingly well, you’ll find yourself listening to this over and over again.

Sadly the penultimate track isn’t quite as memorable but is still worth a listen on a hot summer’s day. ‘ Junk Of The Hearts’ is another track that just takes too long to get going, which is a shame as at the heart of it is a lively pop song missing out on the potential of being anything more than average. The problem is while the rock/pop aspect of it is well produced and very moody sounding, the rest of it is just too laid back and doesn’t work in harmony with the other sounds.

To finish the album off we are left with something quite different, but quite remarkable at the same time. While only last for just over 2 minutes, ‘Nil’ is a beautiful instrumental track with a somewhat haunting sound to it. The piano is played in such a way that it won’t fail to send shivers down your spine. It’s beautiful because it’s so simple, no vocals, no loud drums or guitars, just the faint sound of a piano in the distance making it a very contemplating track.

So there you have it, my review on an album which one the whole I would wholeheartedly recommend albeit for a few weak tracks. It’s certainly not an album that stands out from others in its field such as Garbage, but just like that group they know how to produce some surprises. For fans of The Cardigans you may be interested to know that the band is currently producing their seventh album, which apparently has been postponed until 2008.

The Cardigans are: –

Peter Svensson – Lead Guitar
Magnus Sveningsson – Bass
Bengt Lagerberg – Drums
Lars-Olof “Lasse” Johansson – Keyboards and Guitar
Nina Persson –Vocals

The Cardigans “Gran Turismo” 1998
Available on Amazon for £4.98 and from £1.27 used.