Remember ROCKOMONDO's preferences
of last month? Pop maestro NIKOLAJ NØRLUND with his glazed, melancholic
and sophisticated sound, and SUPERHEROES, a group of energetic youngsters
reinventing early 80's synth-pop in new glittering clothes. Splendid
albums, yet completely opposite to each other .
There comes now MEW, back
in action with their long-overdue second album which manages to blend
the sensitivity of NØRLUND and the exuberance of SUPERHEROES. Obviously,
MEW is blessed with the sort of talent that can explain such a miracle.
But there is more to it. This time MEW has kind of reached a state
of grace...
The album progression
is truly irresistible. The first number, Am I wry ? No, concentrates
in 4'30" more good ideas than most of bands in 4 or 5 songs. With MEW,
nothing can be taken for granted. You can never guess where a song can
lead you. Mica is the single, SUPERHEROES' music in a blue mood
: Great analog synth-sound, steady rhythm, bittersweet lyrics and Julee
Cruise-like backing vocals. A hit ! The two following tracks Saliva
and King Christian are twin songs based on similar melodic themes,
coming complete with phoned vocals, superb strings and horns arrangements
in BURT BACCHARAH style, a jaunty handclap chorus strangely reminiscent
of those 60's girl-bands, not forgetting a short " King rap" courtesy
of Mr DAMON TUTUNJIAN himself, SWIRLIES supremo and incidentally producer
of MEW's first album. A
rather odd mixture, I must admit , but in the end, those different elements
fit perfectly together, and this gives to the songs an outstanding slurred
effect. Her voice is beyond her years is the first emotional
peak of the album : A dazzling duet between MEW singer JONAS BJERRE
and one of his long-time heroines, Sweden's finest STINA NORDENSTAM.
The song plays on the contrast between a slow, airy chorus, and the
uptempo, guitar-based verse, prior to a moving, delicate coda which
adds a quivering final touch. Truly splendid. 156 is a very pleasant
interlude, much in the dynamic vein of Am I wry ? No, allowing
you to take your breath again before THE SONG !
Simmetry will bring
you still further than any other track on this album. Rare are the
songs that can drive me to tears but this is one of them. Specially
this one. It is again a duet, sung by JONAS with BECKY JARRETT, a
14 years old college-girl from Georgia, U.S.A. This moving song is
her very first recording, and I guess it will not be her last. The
crystal melody ( not as simple as it seems, just try to sing it !)
backed by bare acoustic guitar and piano builds up slowly, each singer
taking up the song with the last word sung by the other ( a brilliant
idea !) to such an harrowing effect.. The sweet, unaffected voice
of BECKY JARRETT hits straight to the heart and contributes a lot
in making this song the album's highlight. A classic, no less. After
that, you are left the 8'30" final , aptly titled Comforting sounds,
to give a soft, soothing note to the album.
" Half the world is watching
me" is not just another nifty newie that you'll add to your discotheque,
but an album that will give you the emotions you need at every time
of the day. Listen now !