Music Blogs

Standfast for Swede-love: Why do we love ABBA? Is it the gooey goody two shoes songs? The oompah rhythms? Agnetha Fältskog's glorious rumpus? All this and more--right? Ever since ABBA blasted out of Stockholm to dominate the world's hearts and minds for what seems like forever, Sweden has been a sure bet for candy colored pop providence. Forget your troubled sounds, your deep soul wrenching concerns, Swede pop is typically frothy, and fun! The magical Swedes, from the Cardigans to Sahara Hotnights to the Hives, just know how to deliver the pop parody goods. Their tongues are always firmly in cheek, the blues is something they simply banish from existence.

Or perhaps something darker and more disturbing is at play: Swede pop stars are actually miserable, wretched beings that know no joy, who feel no happiness. If such is the case, then their music is more tragic than we realize.  Their shiny happy sounds are just a cover for the blankness of modern life, what Sartre quantified as "existence precedes essence."  We are at our core without value as human beings, until we achieve something greater than ourselves. Those Swedes...they get it!

And so do Standfast, a perky Swede duo who take the Cardigan's stylized pop perfection, then add a dab of George Harrison and Burt Bacharach to wash away the existential misery. Ah, so cunning, so cool these Swedes!

Suzanne Mosson and Patrick Tucker recorded their self titled debut as Standfast in 2001, scoring the international hit, "Carcrashes." Standfast's latest effort, Beneath And Beyond (Cheap Lullaby), was written by the sea in Devon, England, but the message is pure Swede-tastic. Suzanne has the elegant nose and spaghetti-straight hair of the typical Swedish female: gorgeous and as fine as cut glass; Patrick resembles a curly headed male model exhibiting his Hanes for all to see. But together their musical magic is certain. Though only recording as a five piece combo, Standfast delivers a big sound, as if shooting for the stellar quadrants of Bacharach, Phil Spector, Simon & Garfunkel and the Smiths.

Opener "Devil" observes a nocturnal message of demonic sexual delight at the service of a Johnny Greenwood-esque guitar riff.  Suzanne sings "I can't help my sex," and we believe her, as the band rocks behind her behind with a gentle groove slap. This girl's an open vessel intent on pleasure ("lust can blind your eyes," she rightly notes), must be more of that "existence precedes essence" thing.  "Getting Off" maintains the self satisfaction theme, Suzanne's cat like purr recalling a dark hearted Vanessa Hudgens. The calculated Swede pop grooves and whispered girl toy vocals continue with the dramatic, '60s styled "Love For Life," the raucous folk rock of "Bring Me Home," the Harrison worthy glow of "Goodnight," and the punchy, fat-bottomed girls rock of "Crippled."

Standfast dole out a sleek vision of chilly Malmo nights, beautiful, mysterious women, and exclusive clubs. But you can download "Devil" and get thrilled for nothing.

 Standfast: "Devil"  (MP3, 4:20)

More Bjorn porn: A former Swedish porn star and sometime masseuse to the carriage trade, Bjorn Elevators wrings memories of 70s fun into this debut album, Bjornography. Bjorn's battle scars are ugly enough to behold, and his grasp of disco style is curiously similar to London based DJ, Guy Buss, who has recorded umpteen albums and held a variety of UK residencies. Word has it they are one in the same. Can it be? Is Bjorn actually the Swedish equivalent of Johnny the Wad returned to action? Satisfy your curiosity; download "See the Light" today.

"See The Light"