Album of the month : June 2000
Astroturf (S) : « In my own yard »
( C :\DOS> Records )
Astroturf isn't a method of backing horses in accordance with the planets, a scratch n' cash game, or a new summer dance. Actually, it's a new Swedish sextet that brilliantly manages to combine gorgeous melodies, surrealistic lyrics, and original musicianship. Although it's a new band, ASTROTURF's musicians are by no means newcomers. front man Peter Bryngelsson played with numerous pop-bands - the latest being ethno-rock combo URBAN TURBAN - whereas female singer Karin Wistrand once led LOLITA POP, one of Sweden's most illustrious new-wave acts in the mid-80's.
Written 50/50 by Bryngelsson and drummer/multi-instrumentalist Mikael Svanevik, « In my own yard » never sounds patchy though, both songwriters displaying the same ability to write sprightly novelty tunes as well as moving nostalgic ballads. Belonging to the first category, you'll find a bevy of sparkling ditties like the opening track Intruder (Bryngelsson), a creepy story of a man possessed by an entity that, in the end, proves to be no-one else than... ARETHA FRANKLIN in person ! ! This very odd story is sung tongue-in-cheek by Bryngelsson over a background of syncopated rhythms, old analogic synths, slide guitar and even a tuba to play the bass line ( ASTROTURF can be greeted as the first band in Rn' R history to host a resident tuba-player !). Bellydancer ( Svanevik) is equally attractive, waving to the rhythm of its main character's bellybutton, with Karin Wistrand on vocals and the addition of some fine vibraphone taps. Another winner, Will I die ( Bryngelsson) includes more tuba extravaganza and alternates a mad fairground verse with a hammering noisy chorus : ultra-catchy (and incidentally picked out for single release) ! Ultimately, however good these nifty little candies are, it's mostly the slower, "serious" tracks that longer last in your memory and awards the album with its well-deserved 5 stars. Just listen to the trip-hop tinged I'm on my way (Svanevik), for example : a harrowing fall into the sorrowful thoughts of an old man, treated with restraint and tactful sensibility. A similar emotion rises from the elegant 20 squares (Bryngelsson), coated in a subtle strap work of acoustic guitars, gentle horns and cello. Even more evocative and touching is the eastern mood that characterises the haunting Eat an apple (Bryngelsson), maybe the album's highlight with its slanted yet utterly addictive chorus (question : How old is the guest singer ?) and a heartrending to-the-bone guitar solo. If you add Shoes , a serious contender to become the album's 2nd single, the title-track (another Bryngelsson's gem), not forgetting the light and frisky electro-pop of the closing song Overhead , it's truly a flawless album that you've got here.
If you're into XTC, THE NITS, GRUPPO SPORTIVO, CAMPER VAN BETHOVEEN, TALKING HEADS and other similar 70's/ 80's goodies, lend an ear on this. As Swedish critic Håkan Engström commented : «Maybe it's not what kids are hollering for nowadays, but that's only because they don't know better »