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Rating: Welcome to this, my fifth review. While awaiting the review of a proper album (which dear Ocram knows what it's about) that I think I'll do around Tuesday, here's in the meantime a small analysis of a single.
Unlike the records I have reviewed so far, this piece is absolutely pop. But not just any pop: it's nice pop, similar to alternative, from a Scandinavian quintet, the Shout Out Louds indeed. This group has only one album to their name (alas), from 2003, and it is titled "Howl Howl Gaff Gaff", and this is indeed the first single taken from the album. In case you wanted to know, the Shout Out Louds are composed of Adam (vocals), Ted (bass), Carl (guitarist), Eric (drummer), and the lovely Bebban (keyboardist).
I'll start by saying that this single has a rather clichéd lyrics, featuring the classic betrayal and the man tearfully asking his partner to come back to him (It's getting darker/ and I know this time wasn't meant for us/ So won't you please, please, please, come back to me). The aspect that surprised me quite a bit, however, is represented by the melody. The song begins with a delightfully sweet guitar riff, on which Ted's bass and Adam's voice subsequently build. Oh dear, in terms of vocal capabilities, this Swedish lad isn't exceptional, perhaps he even goes off-key a bit, but what matters is the harmony among the group members, which is more than good. The chorus is 100% pop, but once again with a touch of alternative, making it irresistible. Bebban stands out by marking the rhythm with a tambourine, an unusual instrument for today's commercial pop. Two minutes into the composition, the lovely keyboardist asks for and deservedly receives a little spot all to herself, and she makes great use of it: while Eric marks a very simple rhythm, Bebban produces the vibrations and crystalline sounds typical of slightly tapped glass cups via the keyboard. Excellent closing, with the entire group singing the chorus and the keyboard this time accompanying the chords with an electric violin sound (which, let's be clear, is not the new tool for metalheads, but a simple violin connected to an amplifier).
As for the video, entirely in black and white, until a few months ago you could comfortably watch it on Yos (today called Flux) or late at night on the Mtv show "Brand: New". Now, however, if you want to watch it in full, I recommend going on YouTube, which is always very up-to-date, and even if this isn't a recent video, you'll surely find it.
I'll conclude with a small personal thought. I bought the record of these five guys three months ago and I must confess that I liked it a lot. So, if you want to give (or give yourself) a gift, I would recommend buying this CD, I'm sure you won't regret it, I've compared it to a fresh breeze in the middle of a burning furnace full of crap (...........).
Finally, one last thing. By nature, I am a metalhead, yet attentive to alternative music and new bands. If this debut is destined to repeat itself, well, then I can't wait for their new work to come out. We need these kinds of bands nowadays. Peace (and now feel free to shoot me down).
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