Clay Allison
Swedish guys giving birth to a splendid first album, nothing less! Sue, their bio is still short because they\'re young but also because these unknown Swede took all their time to give birth to their first album. Founded in 1999, they\'ve only made up their mind to record recently. Going against the tendency of the time where results are always expected faster, singer Viktor Sandberg\'s crew stand out by their rare natural and laid-back attitude. As proof here is a surprisingly mature record, borrowing the best from international English speaking pop, from The Go-Betweens to The Smiths, from the too underestimated Afghan Whigs to Church, working and reworking every melody, every orchestration. Guitar, bass, drums but not only : organ and trombone which, around Viktor\'s voice, add more strength to these already powerful songs. From the very pop \"Believe in Me\" to the rhythmic \"Good, Clean\" (video clipped in animation and regularly aired on MTV \"Alternative Nation\"), the songs by Clay Allison have what matters most : an exceptional melodic quality. These guys sure have sussed it all out about pop music : 3 minutes exactly for well crafted tunes that stick to your mind whether you want it or not. Done in the past, yes, but never that well, that\'s for sure ! Then, our Swede don\'t present themselves as innovators, they just want to play the best the sound they love. Thoroughly produced, with every instrument at its proper rightful place, \"Love on Depression Street\" has got some hits in store (\"Believe in Me\", \"Drive By\") and more hits (\"Million Dollar Race\"), and more styled and exciting hits which will certainly make you dizzy. This record is a jewel and this band shows it can bring out its most beautiful facets. After Norway (osito records), Japan, here comes \"Love On Depression Street\" to France, via Vicious Circle. Viktor Sandberg (vocals, guitars), Peter Vahlfridsson (guitars), Niklas Larsson (trombone, backing vocals), Jörgen Wärnström (bass, backing vocals), Kim Wallin (Hammond, Rhodes, keyboards) & Eric Krona (drums)
