Elly Roberts reviews
Loney, dear: Loney, Noir
Distributed by
REGAL
- April 2007
- Rating: 8/10
Loney, dear is the alter ego of Swedish multi-instrumentalist Emil Svanangen.
Holed up for years in his home studio or his parents’ basement, this
‘phenomenon’ has finally unleashed his undeniable talents on the world of
music on this his fourth release.
Actually, Loney, dear is a band, though Emil seems to be the brainchild. In
spring 2006 they appeared at the now famous SXSW festival in Austin Texas.
Whilst there an impressed Sub Pop A&R man signed them in no time. The
results are here for all to admire on this enchanting album, which has
shades of Aussie outfit The Sleepy Jackson in terms of the ‘sunny sound’
(Beach Boys) and, occasional, big production.
Other influences include The Beatles, U2, A-Ha and Depeche Mode, though his
music is considered by some as ‘soulful indie folk’, which is pretty near the
mark, in a 21Century way.
With its grand opening and high pitched vocal, Sinister In A State Of Hope
gently builds up to a flourishing power ballad. Most songs follow that format
in overall composition.
Inevitably, with a voice like his, Saturday Waits has more than a Beach Boys
feel, and it’s equally as gorgeous as anything that Brian Wilson has recorded
in his heyday, and so is the peculiarly titled Hard Days 1,2,3,4,
though more of a surfs-up tint and pace.
Beatlesesque I Am The Odd One a semi-sombre ballad eventually glows,
as does the follow-up No One Can Win as the ensemble put the foot to
the metal on a massive, and glorious crescendo. Plodding along nicely with
sweet melodies and harmonies, I Will Call You Lover Again would surely
break them here in the UK and Europe.
Carrying A Stone is a Guillemots -meets - The Sleepy Jackson meets -
Sufjan Stevens thrust, with pulsating drum beats and add-on instruments
giving it a Springsteen ‘big sound’. Hushed and gentle The Meter Marks OK
floats beautifully to the support of synths hanging in the background.
Ending a superb album they leave us with synth beats, subliminal sax solos,
and, yes, more golden harmonies.
Simply gorgeous.
Catch Loney, dear at Admiral Glasgow on Monday 23 April, Night & Day Manchester
on Tuesday 24, 25 April Water Rats London 25.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
