If I had to live outside the US, I think my first choice would be Stockholm. I've been there a few times and found it to be a lively and sophisticated city. For some reason they seem to have the best coffee, which at first surprised me a great deal. You could live a pretty good life there. And Sweden has been producing terrific bands, to the extent that even here in America we are belatedly getting on board. In the wake of Stieg Larsson mania, publishing houses are scouring Sweden for new authors, in the same way major labels were looking under every rock in Seattle for grunge bands after Nirvana became the biggest band in America. Americans are constantly searching Google with baited breath for news about the new Abba Museum and if there will ever be Mama Mia! Pt. 2-The Empire Strikes Back. For years Scandinavians has been the undisputed world champions of air guitar pyrotechnics, and now it looks like they are really plugging in and competing with the big boys with unimaginary music. It's just they may be vying with bands from the wrong decade.
Mary Onettes, from Jonkoping Sweden, are a perfect example of this nostalgia trend. Philip Ekstrom is on guitar and lead vocals and his brother Henrik plays bass. Philip also has written the songs. Peter Agurren and Simon Franssen are on guitar and drums respectively. I know that there are very few new things under the sun, but these guys are right out of a John Hughes time machine. And there's nothing really wrong with that. They are talented, the songs sound great-there is no shortage of enjoyable moments on their debut album. If you are a fan of The Cure, New Order, Teardrop Explodes, you will like this a lot. I am reminded of a less well known band, The Sound, fronted by the late Adrian Borland.
The album is a dreamy moody hook filled record. The first song Pleasure Songs is a decent ballad, but the album kicks into gear with following number Lost, part New Order and part A-Ha. Void is another upbeat melodious retro gem. The bass driven synth pop of The Companion is another highlight on the album. The song Explosions sounds like a Jesus and Mary Chain cover. Still is an emotional ballad, acoustic guitars and strings building to a climax and then fading out. Under The Guillotine is one of the best songs here, a lot like The Sound or Echo And The Bunnymen.
All in all, not a lot of originality here, but plenty of excellent 80's style music. If that is where your musical tastes run, you will enjoy The Mary Onettes. By all means give them a listen.
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