I have to feel somewhat sorry for the neighbours. They have only just recovered from me blatting out Alfahanne at rather loud volumes and now they have been subjected to Riddarna, no doubt driving them somewhat mad. Although musically both bands are quite different they do have the similarities of very loud and strident vocals which are high in the mix and elongated in that Swedish way that gives them a huge amount of definition. Both bands do dwell no doubt in the Underground, indeed that is what the title of the album here translates to but Riddarna have a real crossover potential with some of the hooks found in their music and no doubt a couple of tracks could even have a certain hit potential at home despite the mainstream press over here still thinking that Swedish music has nothing going on since the days of Abba (rolls eyes).
The label, who have thrown a few curveballs our way keeping us on our toes asked me to listen to this with open ears prior to sending it. Sure Riddarna may not be the sort of style that we listen to on a daily basis but the influences once I get over lack of lyrical understanding are a lot easier to get to grips with. These ‘knights’ hit us at the gallop with a heavily organic live feel to the production and belt a cow bell before the angst vocal sound of Skuggan wail in with angular guitars and a post punk / gothic fix that has me thinking high cheekbones as I am caught in its trembling grip. We continue to blow through 13 tracks with rock n roll and their giddy hearts and not anything in the way of fat as most are honed to the 3 minute mark or so. There are quirky twists and turns and Hjärtat slår could be a dose of Swedepop similar to our own Britpop in its catchy way. Sometimes I almost find myself singing along to songs like this cheerful and sunny disposition even if I can’t pronounce what I am attempting to wail along to. It often sounds like the band are simply jamming away in the rehearsal room and recording this in one take, who knows perhaps they were and the feeling behind the way this is done is quite a breath of fresh air. It gives it a warm vibe full of heart and soul.
A splash of Police sounding reggae bounces behind the albums ‘biggest hit’ (well it is to me). Simma Hem really goes for it vocally with what sounds like the words “mama, papa” being yelled out in a rousing fashion along with a monstrous melodic thrust with an infectious harmony which once heard won’t be shifted for an age. På top is another number that particularly comes out on top as it’s a fast attacking dose of melodic jangling guitars and vocal gymnastics which are infectious and to a certain extent deliriously dished out with plenty of enthusiasm bristling through the number. It should be pointed out that the band also seem to favour making equally intriguing videos for a few of their songs which are well worth checking out on their site to get the full audio and visual insight into their world.
There are times here that I don’t know quite what I am listening to and this one has taken a few spins, which has made certain songs stick all the more. There is a good cross-pollination of styles about though and jagged garage rock, pop and grunge could all collide together on a song such as ‘Vad som helst’ really confounding the overall feel that bit more. At the end though it’s as Lemmy would no doubt say all rock and roll and with the final track declaring that’s exactly what’s going to save your soul who can disagree. Well actually the neighbours might but it was probably a bit cruel reviewing this loudly at 9AM on a Sunday morning. No doubt it kicked them out their jam jams!
(7/10 Pete Woods)
Leave a Reply