Review 1 of 1

DylSin writes:

4of 5 Stars

There is no more versatile and underrated band of the last 10 years than the Cardigans -- hands down. If you go through their complete discography, I'm talking all the way back to their Swedish releases Emmerdale and Life; (which can easily be found online by the way), it's very clear that this group of musicians knows exactly what their doing. It's a shame that it took a year for the band to find a label that would distribute this album in the US. Thankfully I've had it since March of 2005. Much was the same problem with their prior album, Long Gone Before Daylight, their strongest, but Super Extra easily holds up in comparison. It lacks the raw emotion that was evident on almost every track of Long Gone, but that's not to say that Super Extra is a weak album -- it's as if you had the choice between Godfather Pacino and Scarface Pacino. Michael Corleone is the best, but Tony Montana aint so shabby either.
Without even mention Nina Persson's amazing voice, that only gets better with age(not to mention the rest of the band) -- but the men of the outfit continue to keep themselves tight. On a set of stand-out tracks ("Losing a Friend", "Drip Drop Teardrop", "And Then You Kissed Me II", "I Need Some Fine Wine, and You, You Need To Be Nicer" & "Godspell") they prove that regardless how much Persson's may deliver on the vocals, they will keep pace behind their respected instruments.
As far as Persson's is concerned her voice has grown, which I wasn't sure it could get much better after the last few albums, but she proves otherwise. The writing is just as strong, just not as riveting as it has been; that is unless of course you mention "And Then You Kissed Me II ", which is the standout track on the album, as well as one among their entire discography. When she croons: "And it's a mystery how people behave -- How we long for a life as a slave", on the last track -- you believe it. Its a rarity among today's mess of whiny emo and over dramatic acoustic/piano rock and pissed off Alt Metal, that you find someone who looks at love as a real, emotional thing, not just something to lament. Persson's seems to grasp the good and bad in her writing; how often do we see that?
Flat out, this is a great album, easiest way to say it. Super Extra Gravity, as well as the rest of their albums, belong in your collection. If you appreciate well craft sonic discord -- or good music, buy Super Extra Gravity.

Nov 29, 2006 12:01:02