Kent
Wonderful, emotional rock/pop (isn't everything?) music with, presumably, deep lyrics. They say there is one theme for each of their CD's, but if you just look at the words of the lyrics, you'll never figure out what it's all about.
There's sure a pervading feel to their music, even if you can't find a theme in it. This is especially true for their second album, Verkligen. It remains one of the purest and most touching albums I've ever heard. I still get the same feeling when listening to it. Wonderful, but not exactly happy or positive, stuff ... There are few people around, just He, She and Them. The world is either dreamy and unsharp, or painfully clear and cold. It's not a nice place to live in, but it's great listening to. I remember listening to Kent's latest record, Isola, for the first time, in bed the night after Christmas Eve 1997. It just sucked you in ... Isola is available in English too, apart from the Swedish version. Haven't heard anything from that version, but it's supposed to be just as good as the Swedish one. Listen for yourself and find out.
Addition on 27/12, 1999.
Got Hagnesta Hill for christmas, and initial emotions are mixed. It's Kent alright, which means quality, but there are differences. For starters, the lyrics feel a lot more simple and obvious than usual. It's like they've settled down a bit, an impression further strengthened by the fact that most of the songs are calm, slow affairs. All those slow, and pretty long, songs mean it probably takes a while to get into all of them, and it certainly doesn't feel like a record you'll listen straight through time and time again. Perhaps I should stop before things get too extensive here, I've only had the record for a few days after all, things may well change with a few more listenings.
I like the fact that the video for Musik non stop is included on the CD, but I dislike that I have to be online to play it. Do they want to time-limit it or what? Come on!
Anyone who'd like to comment on the English version of Hagnesta Hill by the way?
Addition on 15/2, 2000.
Hagnesta Hill does grow, but it requires effort from your side too. It really isn't something you use for background music, this is easily the most demanding record Kent has made. However, when you do listen actively, not doing five other things at the same time, the magic and the feeling in the stomach is there. It works great in front of the fireplace or at night with streetlights outside as only illumination. Still, the fast/slow song balance is a bit on the slow side, and starting with the three fastest songs is a bit odd. It's like the record starts with the relatively easy listening, then leads you toward the slower songs. The problem is that you might stick with the first half of the record, not giving the second half enough of a chance (song length plays a part in this too). Still, this is Kent, and nothing else is quite like them ...
Addition on 11/9, 2000.
Bought Kent, their first album, 29/8. You can hear it's the earliest one, the sound feels so much more unrefined, younger perhaps, less polished than Verkligen or anything later. It's also their shortest record, 39:05 just flies away, especially since there are no seven or eight minute tracks. Can't say I miss really long tracks, but it feels like the songs here are a bit too short at times, you simply want more of them. Lyrics are magical as usual, every word fits perfectly. But then Joakim Berg has always had the ability to make words combine in enchanting ways ...
