View Full Version : Album Club - Week 145: 13/05/2014: The Cardigans - Long Gone Before Daylight (2004)
Album Club
13-05-2014, 20:45
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)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/CardigansLongGoneBeforeDaylight.jpg
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:
spotify:album:50eign1NYbGmHnoh0xhPAV
Grooveshark:
http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Long+Gone+Before+Daylight/197095
You Tube:
WWBNqAxedNc
Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cardigans
This has been in my very top selection of albums for a good while now. Persson's voice is a beautiful thing and bears up to the intense scrutiny provided in this set of songs. The band are tight and the songwriting full of hooks and beauty. For me, the highlight is Feathers and Down where that achingly beautiful voice takes control and there are some very interesting key/chord changes towards the end of the song. For me, a proper 10/10.
Good choice Alex, can't remember when I last heard this, could even be as long as 2004? I expect it to score reasonably well, but I'll give it a few listens first - I do struggle a bit with Nina Persson's voice though, finding it a little too 'nice' and very poppy, not enough gravel and hard times in there for my taste.
I'm pretty sure I don't have this one, but will need to check when I get home, so its Spotify at work for now.
Wow - a 10/10 from MartinT! I know what you mean Tim, about the "gravel" but for me I enjoy the juxtaposition of the "sweet" voice over the quite dark music (in places) and the lyrics, of course. Thanks for giving it a listen. :)
(And I have to give it a 10 too - very rare I would score any album a 10, but there really isn't anything that I could justifiably point out that would cause a loss of points. That it has been played on at least a monthly basis for the past decade must say something about how much I love this album, and it is pretty well recorded, too.)
Nothing for me here, listened to the whole lot, found it very MOR , no edge to any of the songs, 2/10 for Feathers and Down.
ruleof72
17-05-2014, 02:01
This is another band I've heard of but haven't really listened to before, so thank you Alex_UK for suggesting this one. I liked this album overall and while I do agree that Nina Persson's voice is "poppy" the music is well written, performed and recorded. My wife and I were listening to it together and on "A Good Horse" we both looked at each other and said "Sheryl Crow" at just about the same time. Nina's voice is very similar to Crow's and that's not necessarily a bad thing, for what the music is. There's definitely a country component in the music (maybe why Sheryl Crow comes to mind) and while there are some darker themes I wouldn't call this a dark album overall.
7 out of 10 for this one.
losenotaminute
17-05-2014, 09:59
A great choice, this is a really well made album IMO.
My favourite track is probably 'Lead me into the night', but there don't seem to be any fillers that don't deserve a place. As has already been said, the lyrics are definitely a step up from the run of the mill.
The lead vocal is exceptional, not too sentimental or showy, but just well delivered with beautiful pitch and control. I am going to push the boat out and give this a 10 as well as I don't have any criticism.
Lawrence
Sorry it didn't hit the spot for you Baz, but if there is one thing that gives me satisfaction from Album Club it is introducing someone to an album I am passionate about and them enjoying or even loving it - so well made up from Mark & Lawrence's comments - cheers guys, glad you enjoyed it. :thumbsup:
Well I have played this once so far, but found it on Amazon for £1.62 so have just ordered it. I'll vote and report back once I have heard it properly. I wasn't grabbed by the first few tracks, but it improved as the album went on and there is some good songwriting here. I do kind of get the Sheryl Crow connection, but for me I was put in mind of what a young Lucinda Williams would have sounded like?
ruleof72
22-05-2014, 01:59
Sorry it didn't hit the spot for you Baz, but if there is one thing that gives me satisfaction from Album Club it is introducing someone to an album I am passionate about and them enjoying or even loving it - so well made up from Mark & Lawrence's comments - cheers guys, glad you enjoyed it. :thumbsup:
I'm really enjoying Album Club, it's a great way to get introduced to different artists, like them or not. I find that there is always something to like/take away from music, even if it doesn't fully connect with me.
Well I have played this once so far, but found it on Amazon for £1.62 so have just ordered it. I'll vote and report back once I have heard it properly. I wasn't grabbed by the first few tracks, but it improved as the album went on and there is some good songwriting here. I do kind of get the Sheryl Crow connection, but for me I was put in mind of what a young Lucinda Williams would have sounded like?
Yeah, Sheryl Crow just kind of popped out to both my wife and I as we were listening. As for Lucinda Williams, I'll have to listen to some of her music and see.
Well I enjoyed this more the second time around and I was going to give it a 7, but after hearing it again I'm bumping it up to 8/10 and it was a bargain at only £1.62 from Amazon Marketplace. Sheryl Crow is spot on too after hearing it again, but the later tracks where Nina's voice is a little more smokey still puts me in mind of what a young Lucinda W might have sounded like - I think it's her vocal style more than anything though.
Anyway, ta Alex another good album to add to my collection. I have 2 Cardigans now, this and Gran Turismo ;)
losenotaminute
24-05-2014, 17:18
I'd love to get this on vinyl but the only source I can find is Discogs with the lowest price over £100.
You can get Nina Persson's latest solo album on vinyl and I highly recommend it.
I have never been a big fan and this did not change that opinion . It's
Pleasant enough but it just drifts by me ,
5/10
Paul
Alex, I bought this album after reading about it being in Manic Street Preachers bassist Nicky Wire's top ten. http://thequietus.com/articles/13448-nicky-wire-manic-street-preachers-favourite-albums
I need to give it a good listen.
Well, well. What a great album. Brilliant, sometimes heartbreaking lyrics coupled with a sensitive backing.
I'll give it 8/10 but that could rise on more listens.
I've now ordered Nina's first A Camp album. Will probably get Super Extra Gravity too!
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