Bodies Without Organs
Pandemonium: The Singles Collection

THE REVIEW

The Importance Of being Alexander Bard, Part 2: "It's my dedication to rule aviation, I'm certified with the highest degree, I strive for perfection you had the connection, now I've got God shine its light down on me, it ain't necessary to call virgin Mary when you have the gift to set my spirit free".

This time around, Alexander wasn't too keen on putting in much effort and, after all, it's understandable; after Army Of Lovers and Vacuum, a lowering of expectations could very well be acceptable. In fact, it was actually an intelligent move to avoid repeating clichés and aesthetic exasperations which, no matter how dazzling and delightful they might be, inevitably lose their punch and effectiveness in the long run. The thing is that the BWO, the third incarnation of the bearded/mustached Swedish guru, decided to forego the pomp and elaborate visual imagery of previous ventures in favor of more conventional, cheerful Eurovision-style pop; disappointment? Absolutely not, because the BWO is still a creation of Alexander Bard, which means they're a product of the undisputed number one in the genre. Plus, there's nothing better than a few lively and unpretentious tunes to enjoy a bit of joy and healthy relaxation, at least if you have a more or less declared unhealthy attraction to the much-maligned eurodance like yours truly.

The Bodies Without Organs released four albums between 2005 and 2009, all very cute and basically identical to each other, so for a more global perspective, it's better to look at this greatest hits, a complete and well-representative collection, more than sufficient to give you an idea of the material you're dealing with. Very simple melodies, sing-a-long choruses, lively rhythms, a singer who is certainly not exceptional but overall I'd say pleasant and adequate for the purpose, and references everywhere, a Bard trademark used in a much less subtle and elaborate way compared to Army Of Lovers. Titles like "Lay Your Love On Me", "Barcelona", "We Should Be Dancing", or "We Could Be Heroes" speak volumes, and if you sometimes get the impression that this or that song "reminds" you vaguely of something famous and familiar, don’t panic, it’s all part of the game. Sophistries aside, the BWO are absolutely fun, perfect for what they set out to be, and amidst all the frolicsome antics, there are also some witty and intelligent lyrics, a few episodes that are a bit less frivolous, some beautiful pop songs in perfect Bard style like the captivating "Chariots Of Fire" with its characteristic recited interlude by the keyboardist Marina Schiptjenko, who was already alongside AB in Vacuum, or the perfect and slightly bittersweet, almost synthpop-like melodies of "Sunshine In The Rain" and "Let It Rain". The more disco tracks have a really great vibe and the right amount of healthy Italo-disco ignorance, especially "Lay Your Love On Me", "We Should Be Dancing", "Sixteen Tons Of Hardware", "Voodoo Magic", and "Conquering America" (a tasty reinterpretation of "Because The Night"); even the occasional ballads hold up perfectly, sugary but with balance and brilliance, especially a truly delightful "Open Door". If it were up to me, I would have given more space to Marina Schiptjenko, an excellent vocalist/performer, but I understand how Alex wanted to avoid creating something that sounded like a light version of AOL, and the final result proves him right.

In the lineup of Alexander Bard's creations, which also include Army Of Lovers, Vacuum, and the latest Gravitonas, the BWO definitely represent the entry level; they are a stylish city car from a prestigious brand, small, maneuverable, with a lively engine, a playful design, and colorful and pleasant interiors. I hope I've made my point clear. The BWO formula is, after all, the same as hair metal, AC/DC, and many others (with the difference that Alex Bard is creative enough to allow it to last for as long as necessary and no more): total detachment, simplicity, repetition of clichés; why should they be considered inferior? Because there are no guitars? Give me a break! The proposal is honest and guaranteed by a true and, in his way, genius artist, with no frills or intellectualism, just lots of healthy fun and simple, delightful tunes, and as far as I'm concerned, that's perfectly fine.