Swede Tooth

Sweden seems to boast some of the most impressive musical talent, and yet sadly, the general American public seems to know so little of what is out there. Let’s face it, ABBA can only take you so far.

But here are two artists from Sweden who I feel need to be introduced to those unaware. The first is Anna Ternheim, a twenty-seven year-old from Stockholm, whose songs are enriched with a wonderful and strange melancholy.

Ternheim’s voice is strong, unassuming and possesses a slightly dark quality, which often gives her songs a somber twist upon listening. In many ways, she is Sweden’s answer to Aimee Mann.

Her debut album, Somebody Outside was released in 2004 and has garnered many raves in her native coutnry, but is not yet available in the United States (although I strongly urge those who long for something original and unique to search for it*).

I just happen to feel so alone
For today, for all days to come
I just wanna be, wanna be gone
I just wanna be, wanna be gone
                            – Anna Ternheim

Sophie Zelmani has enjoyed moderate success in the States, mainly with her self-titled debut album in 1996, whose first single, ‘Always You,’ made a small impression to college radio.

Zelmani’s music is similar to Ternheim’s in some ways, as both of them are accomplished guitarists and write songs that center around relationships and modern world experiences. But their voices are very much different. Where Ternheim’s is more bold and firm, Zelmani’s is sweet, soft and girlish, but thankfully, not cloyingly so.

Five albums later and Zelmani has remained consistent in her work and is still as good as ever, even if she hasn’t deterred much from her intimate, low-key songwriting and overall sound.

Many of Zelmani’s albums are widely available as domestic or import releases.

My name can’t live up to this matter
So don’t say it, if you don’t want what it will bring
And if you’re scared of this dirty weather
I think you should rush off for your thing
                            – Sophie Zelmani

Downloads:

Anna Ternheim - To Be Gone
Anna Ternheim - Shoreline
Sophie Zelmani - Always You
Sophie Zelmani - Fire

WWW:
Anna Ternheim - official site
Sophie Zelmani - official site
Sophie Zelmani - fan site
Sophie Zelmani - fan site

* Anna Ternheim’s Somebody Outside is available at Bengans Interetshop, a Swedish online vendor which offers intructions on ordering in English.

Fourth Time’s A Charm

With your parents being two of the most celebrated songwriters in music history (Carole King and Gerry Goffin), I suppose it’s only natural to follow in their footsteps.

Surrounded by music her entire life, Louise Goffin started learning piano very early in her childhood and eventually began to write her own songs. By the late 70’s, she released her debut album, Kid Blue at the young age of 16. Inevitably however, comparisons to her mother left the album with only a lukewarm reception, despite Goffin being so young at the time of its recording.

A sophomore album was released a couple of years later, but met with similar results and Goffin wouldn’t resurface with new material until 1988’s This Is The Place.

But it wasn’t until fourteen years later that Goffin would re-emerge with her fourth album, Sometimes A Circle. Armed with strong pop sound and a perfectly ripened voice, Goffin can finally boast an album that has all the goods.

What’s nice about Sometimes A Circle is Goffin’s willingness to experiment. The songs found here are well-polished, but not enough to spoil the songwriting. And Goffin’s usage of muffled sound effects and filtered noise add enough quirk to lift these tracks to a higher level and cause immediate appeal.

‘Instant Photo,’ is one of the many instantly infectious tracks to be found here, employing these said quirks and a strong chorus which will demand repeat listens. And Goffin’s distinctive voice provides a cozy and sexy tinge to ‘What A Waste Of A Perfectly Good Hotel Room,’ a delicious ode to being lovesick.

Fix my hair for an instant photo
Two for me and two for you
Fix my sights on a big tomorrow
When I get out of the rat race.
                            – Louise Goffin

‘More Of It,’ is a new song by Goffin which I presume will be included in her follow-up to Sometimes A Circle. It continues with Goffin’s experimental pop sound which at this point, is definitely a winning ingredient.

Since 2000, Goffin seems to have rejuvenated her music career. Besides her most recent album, she can also be heard every week during the opening credits of Gilmore Girls, where she and her mother have recorded King’s ‘Where You Lead I Will Follow.’

And while it is perhaps unfortunate that Goffin will never be able to fully separate herself from her famous parents in the eyes of the public, it’s nice to know she’s got a talent that is completely her own.


Downloads:

Instant Photo
What A Waste Of A Perfectly Good Hotel Room
More Of It
Where You Lead I Will Follow (with Carole King)

WWW:
Louise Goffin - official site

Cover Girls, Vol. 10

Pop chanteuse Holly Palmer (previously featured on Womenfolk: The Way Your Soul Find Its Groove) completely re-invents The Supremes’ ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On.’ Palmer’s is a slowed, gut-wrenching swirl of emotion that no one could ever confuse with Kim Wilde’s popular version from the 80’s.


Londoner Siobhan Lynch’s eerie rendition of the Bee Gee’s ‘Stayin’ Alive’ is just one of many songs worth owning from the soundtrack to Jackie Chan’s 1996 action-flick, Supercop.

What’s particularly interesting here is not only the programmed arrangements, but Lynch’s gender-reversal in the line: Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk / I’m a woman’s man, no time to talk. Also noteworthy is Lynch’s layered, dark purr of a voice which brings the song to life with an aggressively sexy, techno twist.

Considered to be one of the hardest working women in the music business, folk-singer extraordinaire, Ani DiFranco has created her share of cover songs, but one of those most notable is surely her rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Used Cars.’

Released on Badlands: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska, DiFranco approach is effortless and serves as an echo to Springsteen’s original.


A decade after releasing their breakthrough debut album, It’s Better To Travel, Swing Out Sister released Shapes And Patterns, which featured the late Laura Nyro’s ‘Stoned Soul Picnic.’ Theirs is a bright, pop effort reminiscent of their original songs.


Downloads:

Holly Palmer - You Keep Me Hangin’ On
Siobhan Lynch - Stayin’ Alive
Ani DiFranco - Used Cars
Swing Out Sister - Stoned Soul Picnic