I'm From Barcelona

Who Killed Harry Houdini?

(Mute)

Record Review by Adam McKibbin

Sweden’s I’m From Barcelona made quite a splash when they made their debut in 2006 and 2007.  When they were all together, they were more like an indie-pop commune than a band – with membership numbering in the dozens.  They sang gleefully about the simplest of subjects.  Hardened critics were charmed. 

Having established themselves (successfully) as a niche band, the big question would be how they’d evolve their sound.  Twee-pop isn’t quite as in vogue in 2008 as it was even a few years ago, and the “huge group” novelty that the Polyphonic Spree helped spawn has also cooled.  Now what?  Who Killed Harry Houdini?, perhaps inevitably, is a bit more serious.  But band leader Emanuel Lundgren isn’t ready to give up his Peter Pan days just yet; “In my heart… in my heart… Still a kid,” he sings defiantly (but quietly) – twice – on two different songs.   On one of those tracks – the jaunty “Ophelia” – he addresses an old friend who has wound up as a married father with a miserable job, and considers the prospect of winding up just like that.  I’m From Barcelona may have the lowest volume-per-capita rating of any band around, but they do pick up some steam on “Ophelia,” particularly apparent as it follows a pretty but bland ballad (“Gunhild”).

Who Killed Harry Houdini? is bookended with transitional tracks that yearn to re-brand I’m From Barcelona as a band that’s perfectly willing to be playful , but can also do that whole epic/cinematic thing.  They’re mildly successful – more so on the softly orchestrated opener “Andy” with its choral harmonies than on the stretched-out and somewhat unfocused closer “Rufus.”  But Lundgren’s clearest gift still deals with whimsy of the lyrical and musical variety.  Single “Paper Planes” is one clear standout, a rousing piece of pop with a hook that sinks right in.  In “Paper Planes,” Lundgren listens to the lives of his neighbors - an old man learning clarinet, a randy couple upstairs, someone watching The Cosby Show – and documents it in a charmingly straightforward manner.   “Headphones” is another charming and infectious track, a simple paean to the escapist power of music.  They may no longer be the hot new thing, but I’m From Barcelona still has plenty of that transportational power themselves.