Our Ill Wills

Shout Out Louds | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 11, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Merge Records
• ASIN: B000UE64QU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,205 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In a sense, after a slew of EPs, singles, and 2005's Howl Howl Gaff Gaff (the U.S. version of which was reorganized and augmented with various tracks from said EPs and singles), this is Shout Out Louds' first proper full-length, and the incessant touring seems to have aged their sound like a fine wine. While Howl Howl Gaff Gaff reaped much of its flavor from twee indie pop and sheer ebullience, Our Ill Wills dives headlong into the new wave influences that previously lay beneath the surface. The inspiration is immediately apparent--Brit classics like The Cure, The Modern Lovers, The Smiths (one song--not a cover--is even titled "Meat is Murder"), et al. OK, the accent's different, but the upbeat-but-melancholy hop is undeniable. The pop perfection here is due in no small part to the man behind the boards, Björn Yttling (he of the sandwich-acronymed Peter, Björn and John). Simple string arrangements and washes of texture are draped over each song. Percussion by Yttling's bandmate, John Eriksson, perfectly augments most songs (further solidifying those Head on the Door era Cure comparisons). Witness the woodpecker woodblocks on "Impossible," or the the samba-esque a gogo bells of the first single, "Tonight I Have to Leave It," cleverly decorating its dour sing-song. "You Are Dreaming" is a slinky, tom-driven, lost-love rocker. Later in the album, playful but gut-wrenching naïve pop songs recall Moe Tucker's vocal on the Velvet Underground's "I'm Sticking with You," like "Blue Headlights," with keyboardist Bebban's cracking question, "We are good people, aren't we?," and "Meat is Murder," a simple tearjerker with acoustic guitar, bells, and Adam Olenius' wistful tale. "Hard Rain" closes the album, its Cars keyboard lead no indicator of the upcoming noise jam to complete the album. Say what you will about influences on sleeves, this is pop music at its best: nostalgic and angst-ridden, but ultimately life-affirming. Shout Out Louds have found a winning formula. --Jason Pace

Product Description

The Swedish band's sophomore effort and Merge debut is the follow-up to 2005's critically acclaimed "Howl Howl Gaff Gaff" on Capitol. "Our Ill Wills" is a collaborative effort between the group and producer Bjorn Yttling (of Peter, Bjorn and John). This band is all about the rush, the emotion, and the infectious melodies that along with youth, good hair, and the endless pursuit of love, make up the foundation of all great pop music.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This album came like a Hard Rain, August 28, 2009

By 

Brandon (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Ill Wills (Audio CD)

I wrote a review for this album a long time ago, but I hope this review to be much more informative:

Our Ill Wills is what I deem a near perfect album. Howl Howl, Gaff Gaff was a good Indie-Pop album, but on this album The Shout Out Louds evolve into a stronger and more mature Indie band. They successfully drop the novelty of the Indie-Pop genre without sacrificing the peppiness. The sound of the album is classic. This album is no passing fad, which one could argue about Howl, Howl. However, what I think makes this album so much stronger is the addition of female backing vocals from another Swedish musician Lykke Li. It gives the songs and the album a lot of extra oomph, style, and flair. The lyrics and song structures are thought out better and don't stick to formulaic pop patterns. The Shout Out Louds just really tackle this album in a much more artistic and original manner.

Now... Yes, the Shout Out Louds are similar to the Cure. Adam Olenius does have a Robert Smith twang on top of his Swedish accent. Yes, their type of music is similar to the genre of the Cure. However, the people calling the Shout Out Louds rip offs are just being music snobs. The Shout Out Louds have their own unique style as well, and in my opinion, write more consistent songs. There is also influence from the Smiths here (They even cover "Meat Is Murder"). So if you like the Cure and the Smiths, and are not an elitist, you will love this modern Indie album. But they in no way imitators of these aforementioned bands. The Shout Out Louds are not taking anything away from their legacies, so just let it go.

Every song here is strong. There are no fillers. At first listen, there are a couple standout tracks ("Tonight" and "Impossible"). The songs flow together very nicely and they all grow on you. With every new listen, you find yourself with a new favorite. That's stuff that makes a GREAT album. This isn't an album with a couple good singles that you find yourself skipping to. This album is great start to finish. Also, the song ordering is fantastic. The Shout Out Louds organize the songs in a way that keeps you interested. They even mix it up with a song featuring solo vocals by Bebban Strong. "Tonight" is a perfect opener. "Hard Rain" is a perfect closer; an epic song perfect for driving through the city at night. There is a heavy theme of lost love and nostalgia in this album as well, connecting all the songs together lyrically. The album casing and artwork are also very appealing. Nothing about this release fails. This is also a perfect beach and driving album.

Overall, this is an underrated classic. The Shout Out Louds do not get as much recognition as they deserve. This is a gem and perhaps it will get the attention it deserves in the future. Best Indie album of 2007. Hell, It's the best album I ran across in 2007 period.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unlike Sweden, i'm not neutral on Our Ill Wills...., May 23, 2007

By 

J. Walkos "jwalkos" (Tempe,AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Our Ill Wills (Audio CD)

The Shout Out Louds are back with the follow up to thier critically acclaimed release Howl Howl Gaff Gaff. Our Ill Wills is a bit of a departure. That however does not mean that is a bad thing. This album starts off with the gorgeous song "Tonight I have to leave it" sung by the just as beautiful Swede Bebban. It's a nice start to the album and sets the mood for the rest of the album. Our Ill Wills manages to maintain the Shout Out Loud sound while not retreading old material. The poppiness is there but much less and it veers toward a more textured mature sound. Lets call it texture pop. More experimentation has resulted in a step forward for a band previously thought of a shoegaze pop. The lyrics are moving at times but sometimes lack imagination. That is part of the charm of these songs though. Shimmery songs and heartfelt lyrics that maintain there pop appeal while maturing along the way. Our Ill Wills most likely will not get the praise as Howl Howl Gaff Gaff, but it certainly deserves it. They could just as easily made a follow up of catchy pop tunes that can't lose and in some ways they have but you have to respect a band that isn't afraid to move forward as artists and travel new roads.

5.0 out of 5 stars wow underrated, May 15, 2009

By 

Mina Helsing "Andi" (Livermore, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Ill Wills (Audio CD)

this is a great cd. i had heard of them around the spring of 2008 and i must say i knew they had a few good songs, but when i went to 2008's coachella festival they really blew me away. practically the only band that did that actually. they came out with energy dressed in white wearing lei's seemingly from hawaii and they began playing some of the brightest and most ear pleasing music while waving numerous instruments around, and it was a sound that caught me off guard and a sound that left me wanting more after their short set was over. this is a band that can take it to any level that they wish, and i am sorry that they seem to be so under rated here... i have the cd and it has become a great bright spot in my collection.