After their outstanding 2002 release,
Behind the Music, I awaited the follow-up
from these Swedish pop-psychedelic rockers with the anticipation of a bargain
shopper waiting for the mall to open the day after Christmas. Although
Origin
Vol. 1 is in many ways a solid album, it lacks the magic of the band’s earlier
material, and didn’t really take me anywhere special. It’s like our
bargain shopper finding only the usual Gap-ware – many things are cute and
nice, but few are treasures.
Among the exceptions is "Lone Summer Dream," a bright, warm, textured
pop-rock song, complete with a sunny Partridge Family background ("Ba-Ba-Bas")
and handclaps that epitomize T.S.O.O.L. at their best. It’s the one that
should have been selected as a single (rather than the fast but dull "Bigtime").
"Wheels of Boredom" is a mellow, mid-tempo driving song, while "Song
for the Others" is a slower, echo-y, keyboard-based piece with acoustic touches
that has an overall feeling reminiscent of the Flaming Lips’ "Do You
Realize?"
Jane Birkin, the still-hot sex kitten of outlawed ’60s French songs ("Je
t’aime moi non plus") steps in for backing vocals on "Midnight
Children," a slow, fun, treat-of-a-duet in the mood of early Wilco or perhaps
even Nick Cave.
The disc comes with two bonus tracks, 14 songs altogether; half of those being
striking and two or three that are truly special.
Grade: B
Origin Vol. 1 is currently available.
Article posted on 7/1/2005
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