It’s interesting how certain countries end up producing a particular sound in their musical efforts. For example, places like Brasil and Japan have consistently produced musical artists who have a seemingly delicate light sound.
In like fashion, there seems to be a particular style that one encounters out of northern Europe, such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and so on, one that is also light in nature. Sometimes, as with Kings of Convenience, there is a darkness to the light. You know, like Ibsen-style dark?
A prime example is the El Perro del Mar. The “band” is actually just Swedish chanteuse Sarah Assbring and her debut album is hilariously morose. The music has all the trappings of the Brill Building style, guitar strumming and a background chorus singing “Sha-la-la-la, ah-ooo, sha-la-la-la,” but meanwhile Assbring is singing “I can’t understand people, whoa oh” in a depressed tone (actual lyric). On “Party” she sounds like Leslie Gore singing in the style of early Neil Young. “I Can’t Talk About It” is the Ronettes on heroin.
Listen up and drown your sorrows. You can hear more on her MySpace page or read an interview here. Watch a video for “God Knows (you gotta give to get).”
El Perro del Mar – Party — BUY
El Perro del Mar – I Can’t Talk About It — BUY
Tags: El Perro del Mar, MP3s