Customer Reviews

Let Me Introduce My Friends

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I find it almost impossible to feel anything but delight when I listen to this album. Trying to explain why it is so great is far difficult than just playing it for someone and showing them why it is so great. On one level, the songs are inconceivably simple. A song about the various countries the singer owns stamps from? How could that possible be anything to unlistenable? Yet, "Collection of Stamps" is an irresistible delight. What about a song about a treehouse of which group leader Emanuel Lundgren sings in a continuously repeated lyric:

I have built a treehouse

I have built a treehouse

Nobody can see us

'Cause its a you and me house

OK, those are not great lyrics, but the song is almost indescribably joyous, with a huge chorus singing along with Lundgren. It almost reminded me of those old Coco Cola commercials where a group of people on a hillside wanted to teach the world to sing.

I'm From Barcelona is a band I have been unsuccessful in finding much about. They are not from Barcelona (though perhaps some members are); they are from Sweden. I know that it is a 29-member collective led by singer/songwriter Emanuel Lundgren. He would seem to play about the same role with this band that Stuart Murdoch does for Belle and Sebastian. Lundgren is the defining presence in the band. Although he is literally backs by a choir of voices on every song, he takes the lead on every song. Also, most of the songs bear the clear stamp of a truly unique songwriter. So although this is a huge band, Lundgren dominates throughout. For those who wonder if the band sounds Swedish, I can state that they sound like they could be from anywhere. Lundgren himself sings in perfect English, without the tiniest hint of an accent.

I would love to know if the band's name has any reference to the John Cleese/Connie Booth comedy show FAWLTY TOWERS. In that show one of the recurring jokes involves confusion surrounding their Spanish waiter/bellboy Manuel. Whenever he is either confused or makes a mistake or is wrongly blamed for something that is in fact innkeeper Basil Fawlty's fault, Basil inevitably says, "Don't mind him. He's from Barcelona."

I wish I could communicate how wonderful these songs are. And on such improbable subjects! For instance "Rec & Play" talks of making one's own mix CD, one that will be from here on be your favorite album. I've mentioned "Collection of Stamps" already. But even songs not on quirky subjects are superb, such as "Oversleeping."

Who do these guys sounds like? I find it almost impossible to compare them to anyone. The closest I can come is perhaps to San Francisco's Beulah, but then only to their very early work. And Beulah was never as quirky as these guys. The music has some of the same effect that both Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura have, in that all of them simply make me very, very happy when I listen to them. I do think that Bell & Sebastian fans will flip over this album.

My favorite album of 2006 so far has been Howe Gelb's 'SNO ANGEL LIKE YOU, but this now emerges as a very close second. I almost feel like they are now my friends and I'm going to do my best to introduce them to everyone I know.

Fawlty Towers fans are going to recognize the name of I'm From Barcelona -- that's what the waiter Manuel always says to explain odd stuff: "I am from Barcelona!"

But their debut album "Let Me Introduce My Friends" is nothing like Spanish music. Instead, this lovable, enormous Swedish band sounds sort of like a cross between Architecture in Helsinki and the Polyphonic Spree -- sunny, twinkly, shimmery pop music.

It opens with Emanuel Lundgren drawling, "Daaaaaaamn!/Oversleeping again/Daaaaaaaaamn!/I can't believe I did it once again." He then describes what he'll have to do to "make it on time." It's a mundane topic for a pop song, but it's framed with a sparkling pop tune full of catchy guitar, twinkly xylophone and the occasional bell chime.

The songs that follow are in the same mold -- the lyrics are about confusion, chicken pox, broken hearts, stamp collecting, and finding a spot for the perfect treehouse. And the songs wrapped in them are just as charming: folky pop, driving guitars, twee little sugarpuffs, shimmery bell-augmented pop, and the sprawling orchestral sound of "Olakola."

"Let Me Introduce My Friends" is basically pop for people who like bands with a slightly sugary sound, but a pleasant melody as well. "Let Me Introduce My Friends" is basically all sunshine, spring grass and childlike fun -- very charming.

You can't really single out any band members, since there are almost thirty of them, but the instrumentation is nicely polished and solidly played. The songs are wrapped in unstoppable swirling riffs, banjo, solid percussion, sweeps of wobbly and/or sputtering synth, rattling bells and what sounds like a xylophone.

Lundgren has a nice smooth voice, although at times he sounds a bit like he's singing a nursery rhyme. The lyrics are a bit short and simplistic, but they do admittedly sum up the childlike enthusiasm of the music ("You know I can't believe I'm telling everyone that I know/That every stamp in my collection is a place we could go!").

"Let Me Introduce My Friends" has rather simple songwriting, but deliciously twee pop and some solid, catchy tunes. Nice, unpretentious fun.

I find it almost impossible to feel anything but delight when I listen to this album. Trying to explain why it is so great is far difficult than just playing it for someone and showing them why it is so great. On one level, the songs are inconceivably simple. A song about the various countries the singer owns stamps from? How could that possible be anything to unlistenable? Yet, "Collection of Stamps" is an irresistible delight. What about a song about a treehouse of which group leader Emanuel Lundgren sings in a continuously repeated lyric:

I have built a treehouse

I have built a treehouse

Nobody can see us

'Cause its a you and me house

OK, those are not great lyrics, but the song is almost indescribably joyous, with a huge chorus singing along with Lundgren. It almost reminded me of those old Coco Cola commercials where a group of people on a hillside wanted to teach the world to sing.

I'm From Barcelona is a band I have been unsuccessful in finding much about. They are not from Barcelona (though perhaps some members are); they are from Sweden. I know that it is a 29-member collective led by singer/songwriter Emanuel Lundgren. He would seem to play about the same role with this band that Stuart Murdoch does for Belle and Sebastian. Lundgren is the defining presence in the band. Although he is literally backs by a choir of voices on every song, he takes the lead on every song. Also, most of the songs bear the clear stamp of a truly unique songwriter. So although this is a huge band, Lundgren dominates throughout. For those who wonder if the band sounds Swedish, I can state that they sound like they could be from anywhere. Lundgren himself sings in perfect English, without the tiniest hint of an accent.

I would love to know if the band's name has any reference to the John Cleese/Connie Booth comedy show FAWLTY TOWERS. In that show one of the recurring jokes involves confusion surrounding their Spanish waiter/bellboy Manuel. Whenever he is either confused or makes a mistake or is wrongly blamed for something that is in fact innkeeper Basil Fawlty's fault, Basil inevitably says, "Don't mind him. He's from Barcelona."

I wish I could communicate how wonderful these songs are. And on such improbable subjects! For instance "Rec & Play" talks of making one's own mix CD, one that will be from here on be your favorite album. I've mentioned "Collection of Stamps" already. But even songs not on quirky subjects are superb, such as "Oversleeping."

Who do these guys sounds like? I find it almost impossible to compare them to anyone. The closest I can come is perhaps to San Francisco's Beulah, but then only to their very early work. And Beulah was never as quirky as these guys. The music has some of the same effect that both Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura have, in that all of them simply make me very, very happy when I listen to them. I do think that Bell & Sebastian fans will flip over this album.

My favorite album of 2006 so far has been Howe Gelb's 'SNO ANGEL LIKE YOU, but this now emerges as a very close second. I almost feel like they are now my friends and I'm going to do my best to introduce them to everyone I know.

My husband and I have been listening to I'm from Barcelona for awhile now. We love them... they have a sound unlike any other. The closest comparision I might make would be either Belle and Sebastian or The Boy Least Likely To - but that wouldn't be quite right. I'm from Barcelona is in a category of its own.

Recently, we saw them perform live. I didn't think I could like their music any more than I already did. I was wrong. Seeing I'm from Barcelona was the most exhilarating experience. This is band that you can expect amazing things from. And a band well worth the support.

Kinda facile, isn't it? I mean, I like groovy, twee space-out music, too, but I guess I go more for David Kilgour, or even the Beta Band. Not to begrudge those who are having fun listening to this disc, but it didn't do much for me.

My Kids (2 and 5) and I (40)love this album!!!

There is not one bad song on the album. The 29 piece band really uses great hooks, intelligent lyrics and pure pop sensibility to create a fantastic Album.

If you ever find yourself in a bad mood put this Album on and within 2 minutes you will be smiling and tapping your toes.

Make sure you listen to the last song (Saddest Lullaby) in it's entirety. The song finishes and there is about a 2 minute period of silence. After the silence is a special secret song which I believe is sung in Swedish. The song absolutely ROCKS!

I am playing this Album for all my friends and colleagues. Its definitely my favorite album of the year!

SOUL BROTHERS AND SISTAS OF ALL HUES AND PERSUASIONS, FLAVOURS AND BRANDS...IF YOU LIKE THIS POP GROUP, YOU NEED TO TAKE A SPIN WITH BEULAH (GOOD MAN IS EASY TO KILL /GRAVITY BRINGING ME DOWN)!

JUST A DELICIOUS PIECE OF OF BLISSFUL POP A LA YUMMY! STEP RIGHT UP AND CHECK OUT THIS GROOVY NECTAR! I FEEL LIKE TAKING A DRIVE UP PCH...ANY TAKERS? THE BONNET'S DOWN SO BRING YOUR SCARF.

DOES THIS PAINT THE PICTURE OF WHAT YOU'RE GETTING WHEN YOU HEAR THIS GROUP? IF NOT, THEN CHEERS, DARLING, BECAUSE IT'S ALL THERE, CHAPTER AND VERSE.

The Conductor Of The Groovy Juice Symphony

It's something that's a little different, but not mind blowing. Solid choice for simply expanding your musical selections.

With Collection of Stamps being the overwhelmingly best song on this album, it it candy for the ears. Sweet and bubbly, this album perfect for a sunny day. For those who have had chicken pox, a gleeful reminder that you will never have them again. If only I could throw on a hideous sweater and overly large glasses and join them!

This Swedish ensemble (yes, they comprise of 29 members in all but the songs are written by Emanuel Lundgren, who started the band) came out of nowhere in 2006 with a very well received debut single "We're from Barcelona", an irresitable sunny sing-along, and later in the year the debut album came out. This is now finally released in the US.

"Let Me Introduce My Friends" (11 tracks, plus 2 bonus tracks; 40 min.) starts with "Oversleeping", which despite its title, brings the general mood of the album: uplifting, mostly uptempo songs, which remind me of the uncomplicated pop music of the mid-1960s. The afore-mentioned "We're From Barcelona" is one of the highlights of the album; "Treehouse" is a simple little song, but it works really well with a great chorus that goes "I have built a treehouse/Nobody can see us/It's a you and me house", it's impossible not to hum along or not to remember it after you hear it. "Chicken Pox" is about as "downbeat" as it gets on here. "Rec & Play" is another highlight. The US version released in Spring of 2007 comes with 2 bonus tracks: "The Painter" and "Glasses", and they fit in well with the rest of the album.

What is it with Swedish bands and their seemingly obsession of the 1960s? Besides I'm From Barcelona, there is Peter, Bjorn & John and also Dungen, all of which explore and reinvent various aspects of the 60s scene, whether intended or not. Also, I hope that I'm from Barcelona is not going to get viewed/dismissed as a novetly act of some sort, simply because it is such a large ensemble, the fact is that "Let Me Introduce My Friends" is a terrific album. Finally, if you wonder where I heard about these guys, this album gets airply on the internet-only station WOXY, "The Future of Rock and Roll". Bam!!!