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Review: Heather Metherell
AFTER five years away, The Cardigans make a welcome return with
their stunning new album, Long Gone Before Daylight, which
is, essentially, a beautiful and touching collection of love songs.
After entertaining us for nearly 10 years, with their tongue-in-cheek
humour and kitsch pop, the Swedish quintet have arrived bearing
an album that is more subtle, and more moody than their previous
work. It's not just the music that's changed; the band is also
sporting a new, more adult image.
Persson's lyrics are heart-felt confessions of lost love and
loneliness, a stark contrast to the bright, airy, lounge-room
jazz of Life, and the Blondie-inspired pop rock of Gran
Turismo. The band has come a long way, and is now presenting
us with a more mature and honest kind of songwriting.
Most of the tracks are set in the minor key, including their
released single, For What It's Worth, which gives the album
a sad, bittersweet quality.
Long Gone Before Daylight makes a quiet start, with the
airy, mellow ballad, Communication. The simplicity of the
music really allows Persson's voice to shine, and she begins singing
in a soft, understated way, building gradually in volume, and
singing from her throat in a slightly rasping tone.
This is a contemplative album, and much of the music is down
key, with more emphasis on lyrics than their previous work has
shown. Country-inspired tracks, such as Couldn't Care Less
and Lead Me Into The Night conjure up images of lonely
travellers drinking their sorrows away in roadside bars, telling
tales of tired, lost love.
And Then You Kissed Me is a perfect example the kind of
simple, beautiful, poignant songwriting that is in full force
throughout this album. With the lyrics, "man you hit me,
you hit me really hard, baby you hit me, yeah, you punched me
right in the heart, and then you kissed me…", Persson's
tortured vocals fall over the quiet heartbeat of the bass guitar.
There are some livelier moments; The Storm is a fantastic
guitar-driven track that doesn't sound unlike Sheryl Crow's last
album, once again proving the modern country influence on their
new material.
Long Gone Before Daylight is delicate, gorgeous and subtle
album, and though it may disappoint admirers of their earlier
material, it will no doubt bring a new set of fans to the fore;
and might give the band the commercial success they so richly
deserve.
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Track listings:
1. Communication
2. You're The Storm
3. A Good Horse
4. And Then You Kissed Me
5. Couldn't Care Less
6. Please Sister
7. For What It's Worth
8. Lead Me Into The Night
9. Live And Learn
10. Feathers And Down
11. 03.45: No Sleep
12. Hold Me (Bonus Track)
13. If There's A Chance (Bonus Track)
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