record reviews:

The Bell

Make Some Quiet

(Badman)

Not all Swedish bands are created equal.  There’s Ace of Base and ABBA, and then there’s The Soundtrack of Our Lives and The Hives.  It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is that unifies all these sounds exactly.  There must be something about growing up in a cold, barren place filled with lingonberries and inexpensive furniture that makes one want to start a dance group, or wear matching suits.  This is the land that has birthed The Bell, a hard-working threesome that make the listener have flashbacks of The Cure and Interpol, intermingled together like meatballs and herring on your proverbial brain plate.

And like all Swedish bands I know and love, they don’t come without their strong sense of confidence.  After listening to album, and reading a quote from lead singer Mathias Stromberg in the press release: “It’s [the album] anti-stupid, anti-populist, and anti-ironic; in a good, sane, pretentious way, not a grainy, out-of focus, excessively deep, ostentatious way.” I was reminded of The Beach Boys song “I Know There’s An Answer” (AKA- “Hang Onto Your Ego”) from Pet Sounds - not the sound, just the assumption that they have all the answers.

Well, lyrics and quotes aside, Make Some Quiet makes for a good album.  It’s not rocking out music, but it is the perfect background music for your big party, or the kind of stuff you want to listen to when you’re alone (“In My Room” anyone?).  The melodies, though darkish, are well-considered, and the production of the album is works great for what they’ve got going on.  There are appealing sounds and instruments, and each song is unique.  The lyrics are pretty smart, and if you can keep from rolling your eyes from time to time, they’re interesting to listen to.

Not everything is a downer; “Celebrate the Good Times” is filled with hopeful (sort of) choruses and bells.  And “Let Love Be My Only Guide” is a little on the slow side, but the message is sweet.  Overall, the Swedes have done it again!

— Amber Henson

 

www.thebelltheband.com

 

More by this writer:

Sia - Some People Have Real Problems

The Thrills - Teenager

The Lovemakers - Misery Loves Company

Josh Rouse & Paz Suay  - She's Spanish, I'm American

 

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