Our Ill Wills

Shout Out Louds

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 11, 2007)
• Original Release Date: April 30, 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 (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,008 in Music (See Bestsellers 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

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.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Influenced but Very Original, November 26, 2007

By	James Maeng - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

You'll definitely hear a close similarity in vocals to the Cure's Robert Smith and also his pop sensibilities on the surface. But the songs are definitely top notch with more melodic focus than the Cure and worth a listen.

I was really surprised on how well the songs are amazingly arranged and polished. Violins, piano, and xylophone tracks replace the rock distortion in Howl Gaff but it's no snoozer with some excellent druming. There's a nice variety of quality songs and there's very little filler.

It's a great little gem that's off the radar of most people. You'll find some great melodic songs for that lazy Sunday.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Soaring Power Pop, September 15, 2007

By	XTRMNTR (Omaha, NE) - See all my reviews

Our Ill Wills is even better than the Shout Out Louds already-pretty-wonderful debut, Howl Howl Gaff Gaff. The sonic similarities to early Cure here are astounding. Any Head on The Door fans? BUY THIS ALBUM NOW. I'm glad this band was shuttled from the major label they were on (Capitol, I believe) to the indie-label Merge where they will get the care and attention they deserve.

Great live act, too. All the members are adorable and they sound wicked.