Interview:
- Strip Music - Hollywood & Wolfman
<< Back |
After their self-titled debut album and a couple of singles Strip Music presents a new album called Hollywood & Wolfman. The title already reveals something of the content since the album is poppy as well as moody. It sounds like many of the pop/rock bands in the 80's when times were bleak. The tracks don't take long to sink in, Strip Music makes accessible music. The placid opener and title track features cheerless synths, woeful guitars and lyrics that project melancholy. This dark, majestic kind of pop suits vocalist Henric de la Cour well.  "Headlights" with it's Interpolesque intro is a very catchy and upbeat song. The instrumental basis is quite simple, driving drums, repetitive guitars and swirling synths. It's the vocals that do the trick. With lots of melody and a keen ear for attractive chorus/verse structures it's an ideal track to release as a single. On the introspective "This morning" Kris le Mans of the fellow Swedish band Le Mans helps out on backing vocals. Her contribution is not limited to this track. She also lends her vocals for the single that was culled from this album, "Sugar and Lime". Henric and Kris make for a good couple, their voices complement eachother in a graceful way. The synth-guitar blend adds to the dynamic touches. "Bright eyes" is another peaceful, serene song that radiates a lot of ambience. Strip Music seems to love such tracks, about half of the album is filled with slower tracks like this. And for good reason because they know their way with it. "When the Red Light District feels like love" is a melodic rocker. Like many of the songs it is buried in thick synth lines. And that's no surprise because the band contains two synthplayers: Christian Berg and Jens Hellqvist. "Remarkable Life" is a song with serious chart potention. The tunes keep lingering in your head and I bet it's going to be a live staple for many years to come. The ballad "Lucy" closes this entertaining album. With Hollywood & Wolfman this Swedish band should aim high. Given the accomplishments of The Killers (a band with a similar sound) mainstream success lies within reach. Time will tell if that's going to happen, but the musical foundation is there!
0 replies
Discuss this
|
