Tillbaka Till Samtiden (Back to the Contemporary) [Import]

Kent | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 2, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony/Bmg Int'l
• ASIN: B000UZ4C9K
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,392 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2007 Release of the Veteran Swedish Band's Seventh Full Length Album. The Title Translates as "Back to the Contemporary" and is their First Effort Since Guitarist Harri Manty Departed the Lineup. Includes the Single "Ingenting" (Nothing).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kent shifts gears, but retains all of their time-proven genius, December 29, 2007

By 

A. Ponnaz "vote left-liberal" (Walla Walla, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tillbaka Till Samtiden (Back to the Contemporary) (Audio CD)

I admit, when I caught word that Kent's newest album Tillbaka Till Samtiden would strongly feature Depeche Mode-inspired synths, I was filled with skepticism. To me, Kent represented some of the finest alt-rock music I've ever heard, already with 6 great rock albums under their Swedish belts. Luckily for me, this album is to Kent what Kid A was for Radiohead - a radical shift in direction, but arguably some of the best material both bands have recorded.

A glimpse of the album...

The first track, Elefanter, follows Kent's tradition of playing amazing opening tracks on their albums, a long, dark labyrinth of synths with minimal emphasis on the chorus. Berlin seems like Elefanter part 2, with dark and chunky but infectious synths blending perfectly with Joachim Berg's voice. The lead single Ingenting encapsulates the best Tillbaka Till Samtiden has to offer, both as a statement of Kent's change in musical direction and as a relentless, intense techno jam. Berg's voice that song quivers and erupts along with the music in ways I've never heard him sing before, a definite indicator that he's also evolving as a singer. Columbus is another high point in the album, a hearbreaking song that juxtaposes dark and emotional synths with a beautifully uplifting and inspirational chorus.

A couple of succeeding songs, Vy Fran Ett Luftslott and Vaga Vara Radd, break away from the thus dark mood of the album - a dish of refreshing and excellently-crafted Vapen & Ammunition-style music. The closing three songs are great and each very different from one another but could be stronger, especially in comparison to the three opening songs which started Tillbaka Till Samtiden at a glass-breaking high note.

All in all, Tillbaka Till Samtiden is another testament to the enduring musical genius of Kent, tying Du & Jag Doden as my favorite Kent album and a definite must-have for any Kent collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kent never fails to disappoint, December 28, 2007

By 

Naswan Darius Irani (Orlando, FL, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tillbaka Till Samtiden (Back to the Contemporary) (Audio CD)

I wasn't sure if they could top Du and Jag Doden (which in my opinion was nearly flawless), but they might have done it with this. Give it a few listens to let the songs sink in. Thank goodness Kent exists!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong very strong..., November 13, 2007

By 

Bo Berg "Happy Dad" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tillbaka Till Samtiden (Back to the Contemporary) (Audio CD)

Kent is back, strong very strong... Their best since "Isola" in 1998. Songs like "Berlin" and "Ingenting", brings them to an international level. I live in Los Angeles and played "Ingenting" to my friends, and they just went crazy.

Try also to listen to "Ingenting" and "Killer" by Seal, same groove also almost same BPM...

Buy it if you can get, you would not be disappointed...