This week's selection after a bit of a shuffle round comes from Alex_UK - yes, he's still alive, and in fact has donned the Album Club tights and cape for this week!
Please remember, you should listen to the album in full before voting (if you can stomach it!)
The Cardigans - Long Gone Before Midnight (2004)
You've probably heard of the Swedish band before, but it is unlikely any of these songs will be familiar unless you're a fan of the band. Formed in 1992, this is their 5th studio album, and is markedly different from the earlier albums which brought them much pop success. Sugar is swapped for sombre, and rather than the chart-pleasing dance-pop sound that we were used to we get a much darker introspective Cardigans, with a Country influence - but don't let that put you off!
The album is dominated by the wonderful voice of Nina Persson, with some really well written lyrics, which I always admire especially when English is the second language of those concerned. Couple that with some great songwriting and tight musicianship and you have a very mature and considered collection of songs.
I will let you be the judge for yourself, but the standout track for me is "And Then You Kissed Me" - IMHO a simply stunning (in all senses of the word) track about domestic violence, which Nina has said wasn't autobiographical. A sequel (imaginatively titled And Then You Kissed Me II!) featured on the next album, 2005's Super Extra Gravity which continues along the same theme as this one, if you want to hear more... Currently, the 9 year old Super Extra Gravity is their "latest" album, though the band haven't split up, and remain unchanged from their original line-up - just having taken a few breaks for other projects.
I hope you enjoy my selection, for those that have suffered some of my previous choices, remember to "listen without prejudice!"
Spotify:
Grooveshark:
http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Long...aylight/197095
You Tube:
Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cardigans