Customer Reviews

In Colour

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

 

 

the concrete's lastest offering, 'in colour,' is chocked so full of hooks, glistening guitars, quaint vocals, and charming harmonies that it seems impossible that it was created by folks who spend a significant portion of the year in the dark.

in the lead single, 'on the radio,' victoria bergsman comes off a karen carpenter acolyte and the results are nothing short of thrilling. it's got one of the best chorus' you've heard in awhile. it's an exquisite piece of pop and futher proof that the best pop in the world's coming out of scandanavia. and don't see be surprised to see it haunting some future t.v. commercial (as did 'say something new' of their last album).

the rest of the album boasts similarly idyllic pop. 'sunbeams' revels in it's own charm. 'chosen one' displays the concretes ability to harmonize with the best of them. 'gray days' makes a slight foray into the country realm with nice violin and electric piano flourishes.

what's perhaps most impressive about the album is that it sounds completely unforced. with too many artists over-trying to make 'art' records, it's great to see a band focused on good, old-fasioned pop (can any pop song with a flute solo really be that bad? don't think so). for some it may come across as too cute or too twee (see: acid house kings and camera obscura are fair reference points for the 'in colour'), but those who do need to stop taking themselves so seriously.

'in colour' is a welcome relief to the current crop of 'serious' musicians who've forgotten that in the end a great song is about a great hook. for those who like their hooks, 'in colour' in a perfect place to start. it's unabashadedly pop and the perfect glimmering summer soundtrack.

"In Colour" may not be a significant step forward musically for the veteran Swedish band The Concretes, but it's probably their most accessible album to date. It's filled with their typically infectious and mildly quirky yet sometimes gorgeous pop songs. Led by the fragile yet soulful croonings of petite lead singer Victoria Bergsman, the songs have a delicate and distinctive quality to them that grows on you with each listen. The opening song "On the Radio" is a catchy, melodic tune that wills its way into your heart via Bergsman's sweet vocals. "Change in the Weather" is a wistful country-flavored track that's as light and cozy as a warm pillow. Meanwhile "Chosen One" is a deceptively simple ready-for-radio pop tune given an edge by prominent guitars and Bergsman's slightly off kilter line readings.

Sadly, Victoria Bergsman and the rest of the group seem to have had a falling out in 2006, leading to her split from The Concretes and her pursuit of a solo career. Meanwhile, The Concretes look to carry on without her. Judging from quality of the 12 songs on "In Colour" it would seem that both The Concretes and Victoria Bergsman have more than enough talent to continue making great music on their own.

The Concretes seem to have grown on this album. They have added a fuller band sound, but managed to maintain their smooth, intimate song textures. The first 4 songs are all keepers. On The Radio has a great feel to it, nice chorus. Sunbeams is a heartfelt song sung like a pro with nice build ups. Change in Weather gives you a feel of inspiration right off the bat. Chosen One, although obviously crafted for radio, still manages to stay true to the Concretes and this album.

After this, it's hit or miss. Your Call is just boring, and might not be enjoyed by anyone. Fiction, weighing in at 6:02, starts with a good drum track, some smooth piano, and a nice horn section, all before the perfect vocals drop. Nicely laid out rhythm. The song, however, should end at 4 minutes. The end is too noisy, crunchy guitars, useless howls, overdone horns, etc. Poor attempt at a "jam". Tomorrow is a nice ballad, with a genuine feel to Victoria's singing. A little light for my taste, but good track nonetheless. As Four starts slow, then employs a quirky piano/percussion combo that seems to work, at least to break the monotony that other albums' reviews complain of.

Grey Days has beautiful guitar work to start, then follows with beautiful melodies, which seem transplanted from 1965. The chorus lives up to the momentum, and the track doesn't really lag at all. A Way of Life sounds like a Velvet Underground track immediately, then transforms into the Concretes, thanks to Victoria, again. Nice piano fills, and guitar fuzz twang carries the verses to the chorus, which seems a bit familiar, unfortunately not a good thing. Not bad, not memorable.

Ooh La La is upbeat and a keeper. Victoria flows right along, and the song sticks. Nice vocals. Stop comparing her to Nico, just because Nico's female and sung with the Velvet Underground. This track should disprove that comparison. Also, nice sound effects in the backing of this song around half-way through. Song for The Songs tries to end the album on a happy, upbeat note, but just seems frantic. Even a great vocal and string section can't help the chaos. Way too much going on.

Overall, a much better follow up than most critics give credit for. Pitchfork gives them a 4.7/10, and can't even make their review readable. Recommended tracks are 1-4, 8,9, and 11.

IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD THIS BAND
YOU ARE REALLY MISSING OUT !!!!!
THEY ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT
THE "STOCKHOLM SOUND" IS ALL ABOUT.
THE REASON BANDS LIKE THE KILLERS
AND ARTISTS LIKE NICOLE ATKINS GET
PRODUCED BY WHOEVER IS MAKING THE
MAGIC OVER THERE.I FIRST HEARD THEIR
SONG " LADY DECEMBER " AND IT BLEW
ME AWAY ! IT IS ON THEIR RELEASE
" LAYOURBATTLEAXEDOWN " WHICH IS
GREAT TOO, BUT MY FAVORITE CD BY
THEM IS SELF-TITLED WITH A RED CAT
ON A WHITE BACKGROUND. I BOUGHT
THAT AND NOW I WANT ALL THEIR
RECORDINGS ! " IN COLOUR " IS
A FABULOUS CD. THEIR LEAD SINGER
IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES
WITH HER PLAYFUL ALMOST CHILDLIKE
DELIVERY OF WELL CRAFTED SONGS ,
AND THE ODD INSTRUMENTS THEY ADD
LIKE BELLS, CHIMES, & OTHER QUIRKY
YET EFFECTIVE TONES ARE A WELCOME
CHANGE FROM THE STATUS QUO SOUND
OF AMERICAN "ROCK" PRODUCERS.I LOVE
THIS BAND AND YOU WILL TOO IF YOU
LIKE DREAMY STUFF W/ A EURO-FLAIR !
James Hardie McGehee,singer/songwriter/
producer/arranger/multi-instrumentalist.

I was unfamiliar with the Concretes until I heard a song on a sampler CD by their publisher. It was catchy and light enough to stick in the back of my head for five years until I finally picked up a used copy for less than $3. And I'm glad I have. This is a great album for those who like folk/pop fusion and/or "girl" bands. I'm no music critic, but if I was forced to sum up their sound, I'd say it's like a low-sodium Verucca Salt album with a folky guitar twist. Very easy listening.

The Concretes are this band from Sweden that have been around forever. They did a cool album a few years ago. They were on an American commercial. Now they won't go away. Victoria Bergsman and company are back for another go. Their music is very stylized. They are more like the third Velvet Underground record and less Motown on this one. There are some cool songs like "Sunbeams" and "Chosen One." The songs are good but maybe not as catchy as the last proper album. They might have done ten albums over there in Sweden, as far as I know. There are more mellow and quiet moments on this record. Most of the songs are impersonal. We never really get to know Victoria or any of the Concretes any better with this album. During their recent tour, The Concretes got their gear stolen, and didn't bother playing many of the West Coast shows. Oh well. The Concretes are good at what they do.

What a pain this album is to listen to; it has the most uninteresting chord progressions I've ever heard and a whiny singer. It's soft and creative with use of instruments, but the instruments are not used to make good music unfortunately. This band pretty much can stop making tunes for all I care, because hardly anyone in the U.S. knows who they are. Don't buy this crap unless you want to substitute it for Lunesta.