Layourbattleaxedown [Enhanced]

Amazon.com
Before the Concretes' "Say Something New" became a jingle for those acid-dipped Target commercials, it served as a mission statement for the eight-piece Swedish collective. In their case, saying something new meant taking something old - the Velvet Underground's stark production, the Supremes' lush harmonies, Mazzy Star's highly effective sleeping pills (plus whatever band first popularized the glockenspiel's glocking glockenspiels) - and inverting it with a fuzzy pop twist. Working backward, Layourbattleaxedown compiles most of the early recordings, rarities and b-sides leading up to and around the release of the Concretes' self-titled 2004 album. The melodies may not be as distinct as they are on the proper release but the mood is perfect, all haunting drones, drifting ballads and singer Victoria Bergsman's ice-melting voice. A particular triumph is the mariachi tinged opener, "Forces," followed closely the bewitching "Lady December." Best of all, though, is the cover version of the Rolling Stones disco classic "Miss You," possibly even more subversive and serene than Cat Power's minimalist take on "Satisfaction." --Aidin Vaziri

Layourbattleaxedown,The Concretes,Astralwerks,Bass (Electric),Drums,Guitar (Electric),Horn Section,Indie Pop,Organ,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,Sweden,Swedish Pop/Rock,Twee Pop,Vocals,Vocals (Background)

Layourbattleaxedown [Enhanced]

Average customer rating:

Lovely
I LOVE THIS CD!
I keep playing it, over and over.
I heart Victoria

Layourbattleaxedown
The Concretes
Manufacturer: Astralwerks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Twee Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Swedish Pop | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Concretes
In Colour
Chosen One
Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Writer's Block (LTD Edition with Bonus Disc)

ASIN: B0009YNSD8
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Tracks:

Forces
Sugar
Lady December
The Warrior
Miss You
Oh Baby
Sand
Free Ride
Branches
Under Your Leaves
Seems Fine Shuffle
Say Something New (video)

Amazon.com

Before the Concretes' "Say Something New" became a jingle for those acid-dipped Target commercials, it served as a mission statement for the eight-piece Swedish collective. In their case, saying something new meant taking something old - the Velvet Underground's stark production, the Supremes' lush harmonies, Mazzy Star's highly effective sleeping pills (plus whatever band first popularized the glockenspiel's glocking glockenspiels) - and inverting it with a fuzzy pop twist. Working backward, Layourbattleaxedown compiles most of the early recordings, rarities and b-sides leading up to and around the release of the Concretes' self-titled 2004 album. The melodies may not be as distinct as they are on the proper release but the mood is perfect, all haunting drones, drifting ballads and singer Victoria Bergsman's ice-melting voice. A particular triumph is the mariachi tinged opener, "Forces," followed closely the bewitching "Lady December." Best of all, though, is the cover version of the Rolling Stones disco classic "Miss You," possibly even more subversive and serene than Cat Power's minimalist take on "Satisfaction." --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

Lovely.......2006-03-03

If Eisley were an all girl folk band, this is what they would sound like. Most of the songs on this album tell tales of lost loves and new desires. I think of it as a good Concretes starter album, but I'm a new fan so I might be mistaken.

I LOVE THIS CD!.......2005-12-17

It is beautiful and timeless. Honestly, their first single off their last album "Can't Hurry Love" would kind of get on my nerves when it would come on Sirius...but not this cd. I can listen to it over and over all the way through. I bought it at the same time I got the new Cardigans "Super Extra Gravity", and while I love that cd, I think I love this one even more! If you like the Cardigans, Emiliana Torrini, or Fluke, you will probably love this one (maybe even more). Get it now. What are you waiting for?

I keep playing it, over and over........2005-10-29

The Concretes are delightful. And so is this CD. It has a crisp, yet dreamy sound that is filled with lovely melodies and lyrics, both of which are powerful in their simplicity. But perhaps the most important ingredient is the plaintive female voice that is hypnotically beautiful. This is an impressive collection of songs. Hard to believe they're all b-sides.

Please, Concretes, I know you were in America in 2004, but at that time I didn't know you existed. You gotta come back!

I heart Victoria.......2005-09-10

The Concretes have been one of the most successful Swedish bands in America in the past year or so. It has nothing to do with their live performances. They played about ten shows in America. It has everything to do with their song "Say Something New" being used in a commercial here. Since radio stations refuse to play new music on the radio, you are more likely to hear a new band on a commercial than on MTV or the radio. I saw The Concretes play live in NYC last year. They are a large ensemble. They are very talented. Their singer, Victoria Bergsman, is very shy. I saw them play twice. At the first show she wore a wig, like Stina Nordenstam, and a white dress. The second she was dressed normal. I tried to take a picture and someone from their entourage said "no pictures" even though everyone around me was taking pictures with their cellphones. This was at their KEXP performance. Most of this album reminds me of that performance. Only four or five of them played. It was mostly the duo Victoria and Maria. One of the songs they played was "The Warrior." Another was "Under Your Leaves." These songs are very acoustic and quiet. It's like the bare bones of The Concretes. These songs have none of the production and big Motown sound of their previous record. Their cover of "Miss You" seems misguided. Maybe songs by the Velvet Underground or Mazzy Star seem more appropriate. The Concretes have been around for a long time. This record is a good companion piece to their first record, which still sounds great after a year has passed. The Concretes are due for a really great follow-up record in 2006. Hopefully we can see them play over her more often. Quit hiding.

Rap Music:

Rap Music

rap music

Recommended Music:

Let U Go [CD-single] [Import]

Purcell:Dido And Aeneas

The Best of Miles Davis & John Coltrane: 1955-1961 [Import]

Music: Greatest Hits

The edge

Swing'n [Explicit Lyrics]

The Best of Southern Gospel

Stars & Topsoil Collection 1982-1990 [Import]

Rosa por Rosa [Import]

Stanford: Bluebird, Songs of the Sea, Magnificat, Nunc Dimittis, Agnus Dei [Import]

Soaring in Spirit

Schmack! [Import]

Runaway

Music from the Earliest Times

Whatever Bubbles Up