Customer Reviews

Colonia

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"A Camp" is a collaborative effort between two Swedish musicians: pop star and former figure skater Nina Persson, of The Cardigans fame, and Niclas Frisk, (guitarist and composer), an outdoorsman and explorer who had himself enjoyed pop stardom with his Swedish pop eccentrics Atomic Swing.
Their first LP, the eponymous "A Camp" in 2001, was awarded four Swedish Grammies and met with much critical praise abroad and Stateside.
Its follow-up, "Colonia", was recorded last year in New York - where she lives and performs with Brechtian political cabaret outfit The Citizens Band - with help from Persson's husband (soundtrack composer, formerly of influential US alternative mavericks Shudder To Think) Nathan Larson, drummer Kevin March, Joan Wasser (aka Joan As Police Woman), Swedish singer-songwriter Nikolai Dunger and former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha.
Over the years, the music and lyrics Persson has produced have grown increasingly ambitious and intellectually bold, slowly revealing a talent of quirky originality and genuine substance. "I am still the Lovefool girl", she insists.
"Colonia" is an absolute gem of smart, melodious, provocative pop Americana, and Nina eases through this collection of a dozen darkly luscious songs.
If anything, it's a better effort than their charming debut, packed full of lovely melodies, a dreamy style, clever lyrics and wondrous vocals.
The bold, elegant opening track, "The Crowning", is a gaudy, sarcastic farewell to an unnamed former world leader. It is quite a departure from the band's intimate, country inflected debut.
The guitar loops that herald the arrival of "Stronger Than Jesus", meanwhile, are melodic, folksy and classic American... with Persson hinting at the style of Sheryl Crowe vocally
"We wanted it to be more of everything," says Persson. "A little more restless, less introvert and more irritated. Grumpiness can be quite charming. It's more funthan being someone really smart and clever and politically correct", she says.
"Colonia" is a seductive album about big themes, "an exploration of colonialism, as the title implies", according to Nina's husband, Larson, and the world's cultural surrender to America.
"The music is romantic but lyric-wise we wanted to take away the romantic fog and just look at human instincts", says Frisk.
If anything, it's a better effort than their charming debut, packed full of lovely melodies, a dreamy style, clever lyrics and wondrous vocals.
And Nina eases brilliantly through this collection of a dozen darkly luscious songs.
My highlights: "Stronger Than Jesus", "Love Has Left The Room", " My America", "The Weed Got Here First", "Stronger Than Jesus" and, back to the swinging '60s mode, the upbeat "Here Are Many Wild Animals".
Warmly recommended.
A Camp
To Survive

A Camp has really hit it--lilting and beautiful melodies, dark and sophisticated lyrics. This is not to be missed! I find the songs running over and over in my mind and each time I listen it takes on new meanings and depth.

Different from their first album but equally as good. Nina Persson's voice has really matured. Not only are the melodies great, the lyrics are meaningful. I got a chance to see them live at the Crocodile in Seattle, a small intimate venue. They are so good live - even my husband, whom I dragged there, was impressed.

This is one of the best surprise of the year. The distinctive voice of the singer of the Cardigans with rich melodies and interesting lyrics. I wasn't expecting too much of the album after listening to the samples but it is actually a great album. Note that is also got a pretty decent review in RollingStone magazine.

As a long time fan of the Cardigans, I found out about A Camp a while ago, and fell deeply in love with their self titled debut after discovering it. Imagine my delight and supreme surprise that A Camp announced they would release a new album early in 2009; my excitement was palpable. Needless to say, I had very, very high hopes.

The best part, is that they totally delivered. Nina Persson is one of the best song writers, and definitely one of the most consistently beautiful singers of her time. Nina's vocals are that of the angels, and on this album, she continues to prove to me why she is one of my all time favorite singer/songwriters.

It is no surprise that many people will never hear about this amazing band, because that seems to be the way it goes with amazing talent. However, if you are one of the lucky ones, you will recognize true talent when you hear it. That talent is A Camp, and they have released an AMAZING sophomore album with Colonia. Do yourself a favor and fall in love with the sweet sounds of A Camp!!!

I can't write a long review because I'm studying for finals but I wanted to stop by and leave a note just saying that this is probably going to be one of the best albums of the year for me. I'm very impressed with Nina's ability to reinvent her sound and continually produce unique and well crafted songs and lyrics. I really loved the first A Camp album and this one feels like a natural next step. The arrangements are lush, organic, and fresh. It sounds more like a follow up to Long Gone Before Daylight than Super Extra Gravity did (and I loved LGBD). Just to be clear, I'm not a huge Cardigans fan. I loved LGBD but didn't really care for any of their other albums. This is exactly the direction I was hoping they would take but then Super Extra Gravity was a mess.

If you like this you may also enjoy Bic Runga, She & Him, and Neil Finn.

I had never heard of The Cardigans. I never would have heard this except a friend gave me both A Camp records (among a mass of other music). From the first song on the first record, I was hooked.

Colonia is a wonderful exploration of the American rock idiom. There are nods to several styles, each with its own twist. The changes and hooks are excellent. This doesn't rate 5 stars because I can't deal with a couple of songs and I don't get why some of the more self indulgent things are left (like the end of The Weed Had Got There First).

There are some amazing lyrics and it's hard to believe that this is a European product.

This and the first record should be getting college radio airplay.

this A Camp album is wonderful, especially 'Stronger Than Jesus' and 'Chinatown.' if you enjoy it, and are wowed by the lyrics, then check out Nathan Larson's solo disc 'Jealous God' (2001), or his song 'Wrong Side,' which is performed exquisitely by Angela McCluskey. larson is a radically underrated songwriter, imho.

This CD is very good! Think about Cds necessaris in every home, and this one, is one of us!!

Well this is nothing like the first ACamp album which I purchased years ago after becomming a Cardigans fan especially after the masterpiece Long Gone Before Daylight. I mean this is a great album, beautifully written songs, tremendous production, great musicians, unique instrumentation, very lush and moody! I could almost say it would have been the perfect followup to Long Gone Before Daylight but it is quite different! It is more diverse overall than what that CD was, although Long Gone was very good, it was pretty much the same style and sound throughout! With Colonia, they are throwing all kinds of song styles at you. Now I have to be honest Nina may not be my favorite singer in the world, but she couldn't do any better than with material or songs like these. This is first rate all the way!