Album of the month :
December 2003
NIKOLAJ NORLUND (DK) :
" Taendstik " ( Auditorium)
" Never take the same path twice" : this could be a perfect motto for Copenhagen's finest dandy Nikolaj Norlund. A solo artist since almost ten years, the former leader of Trains & Boats & Planes has always displayed a timeless and elegant songwriting, drawing on such classic influences as Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen or Neil Young to build his own sensitive and bittersweet sound.
As he likes giving a peculiar mood and a different colour to each release, this new album, once again, is quite different from the previous one. " Hvad er det der sker ?" ( 2000) was glossy, sophisticated, painstakingly produced and arranged. " Taendstik", on the contrary, is simple, direct, warm, and distills a rather unusual cheerfulness. Actually, it sounds like a bunch of old friends would if they turned up in your living-room, opened some beers, picked up their instruments and jammed for the fun of it. This unexpected hearty atmosphere shows Nikolaj Norlund on his most relaxed side, allowing him to add new classic songs to his repertoire. Straffet, for instance, instantly sticks into your mind as one of the catchiest tunes he has ever written, and so do the addictive melody and stressed rhythms of the equally alluring Respekt ( Endnu). The jazzy mood of Aarskort or the " Walk on the wild side" bassline of Det Vaelter Ned" both conjure up familiar territories. But nothing had prepared us for the invigorating energy of Hva Nu, Annemari: bouncing on castanets and salsa-piano, it comes as close to latin frenzy as it is possible for this usually reserved artist. Even more surprising, Nat speeds up on a tight canvas of propulsive beats, handclaps and fuzzy guitar solos. This is not yet Iggy Pop backed with Sum 41, but it damn rocks, that's for sure !
With its variety of styles, its no-frills atmosphere and its overall joyful mood, " Taendstik" offers a welcome antidote to brave the grey winter months. It will make also a perfect soundtrack for next spring when it comes.
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