Caviare Days:
Caviare Days:
Label259:
Out 7th October 2013:
6/10
Swedish sisters Lina and Maja Westin have something of the exotic bedouin about them, with added middle-finger attitude and gothic overtones for extra 'oomph'. Now in their second year the duo, plus producers Mando Diao's Mats Bjorke and Violens' Jorge Elbrecht tweaking and twiddling and usual musicianly support, have come armed with a more expansive package than their rather mixed EP from earlier this year.
Kicking off with the earlier alluring single The Awakening, this eponymous debut sounds a little bit psychedelic, a little folksy and a wee bit gothy throughout, reminding me of Siouxsie, Nico, PJ Harvey and The Pierces in equal measure, perhaps a bit of The Bangles has also rubbed off on them too (not surprising - the vocals were apparently mixed in the LA studios that hosted Susanna Hoffs and co's sessions, back in the day).
Some tracks swirl, some rumble and a few are really rather memorable and quirky without being irritating. You'll Qualify is a perfect example of proper Swedish pop - harmonies a-plenty, a soaring chorus and edgy guitars, all creating a motorik beat and some bead-swinging to boot. Like a lot - would make a great radio single. Shut The Door has the vivacity of Stevie Nicks or Mama Cass in full swing - hell, I can even hear what sounds like flutes in this here tune (bonus points) - while Who Deprived You Of Your Smile hovers, bobs and weaves a bit like the '60s classic Spooky (and there's nothing wrong with that).
Sadly, the rest of the album can't decide what it wants to be and flounders around in a muddle, although the final song When The Light Is Breaking is as pretty as a picture and is just enough of a sweetener to prompt further listens. A couple of remixes and remodels fill the space up nicely at the end, along with the mournful cabaret ballad Again, thus making this release more of a springboard than a template. I imagine their live shows are an enticing and heady brew.
Caviare Days:
Label259:
Out 7th October 2013:
6/10
Kicking off with the earlier alluring single The Awakening, this eponymous debut sounds a little bit psychedelic, a little folksy and a wee bit gothy throughout, reminding me of Siouxsie, Nico, PJ Harvey and The Pierces in equal measure, perhaps a bit of The Bangles has also rubbed off on them too (not surprising - the vocals were apparently mixed in the LA studios that hosted Susanna Hoffs and co's sessions, back in the day).
Some tracks swirl, some rumble and a few are really rather memorable and quirky without being irritating. You'll Qualify is a perfect example of proper Swedish pop - harmonies a-plenty, a soaring chorus and edgy guitars, all creating a motorik beat and some bead-swinging to boot. Like a lot - would make a great radio single. Shut The Door has the vivacity of Stevie Nicks or Mama Cass in full swing - hell, I can even hear what sounds like flutes in this here tune (bonus points) - while Who Deprived You Of Your Smile hovers, bobs and weaves a bit like the '60s classic Spooky (and there's nothing wrong with that).
Sadly, the rest of the album can't decide what it wants to be and flounders around in a muddle, although the final song When The Light Is Breaking is as pretty as a picture and is just enough of a sweetener to prompt further listens. A couple of remixes and remodels fill the space up nicely at the end, along with the mournful cabaret ballad Again, thus making this release more of a springboard than a template. I imagine their live shows are an enticing and heady brew.