The Cardigans | ||
| Allmusic Biography : One of the most pleasing pop groups of the alternative era, the Cardigans specialized in sugary confections that would grow annoying very quickly if they werent backed by solid musicianship and clever arrangements. The bands 1995 breakout album, Life, reflected the Cardigans at their most saccharine -- the sunny disposition of vocalist Nina Persson being the major argument in favor -- and critics inserted the group into the space age pop revivalist camp. The Cardigans later proved that they were more difficult to pigeonhole, however. Even the bands origins showed that their later appearance was quite misleading; two heavy metal fanatics formed the group in October 1992 in Jonkoping, Sweden. Guitarist Peter Svensson met bassist Magnus Sveningsson in a hardcore group, though he had previously trained in music theory and jazz arranging. The two later grew tired of metal and decided to form a pop band with vocalist Nina Persson -- an art-school friend who had never sung professionally -- plus keyboard player Lars-Olof Johansson and drummer Bengt Lagerberg. All five Cardigans moved into a small apartment in 1993 and began recording a demo tape that entered the hands of producer Tore Johansson later that year. He liked what he heard and invited the group to record at his Malmö studio. Signed to the dance-oriented Stockholm label, the Cardigans released Emmerdale in May 1994. The single "Rise & Shine" became a hit on Swedish radio soon after the release of the LP, and a readers poll in Swedens Slitz magazine voted Emmerdale the best album of 1994. The Cardigans spent the last half of 1994 touring Europe and recording their second album. A satirical response to their moody debut, Life showed the band at their most upbeat, including an angelic picture of Persson in an ice-skating outfit for the cover. Released in March 1995 -- with several re-recordings of songs from Emmerdale -- the album eventually sold one and a half million copies worldwide and became especially popular in Japan, where it achieved platinum status. A deal with Minty Fresh gave the Cardigans an American release of Life in spring 1996, and the group played eight sold-out shows in the U.S. that summer. The American major labels began to notice the attention, and Mercury signed them soon after. First Band on the Moon, released in September 1996, de-emphasized the pure pop in favor of abstract arrangements and some rather violent themes. Nevertheless, the infectious single "Lovefool" became a radio hit by early 1997, and First Band on the Moon eventually reached gold status in America, as well as platinum certification in Japan (just three weeks after its release). Gran Turismo followed in 1998, though it lacked an obvious hit and led to a long hiatus for the band. Finally, the Cardigans returned in 2003 with Long Gone Before Daylight, marking a clear transition with confessional material closer to the singer/songwriter tradition. Super Extra Gravity followed in 2005, which hit number one in Sweden. By 2006, the band had gone on hiatus. Persson worked on solo material, releasing songs as A Camp and under her own name, while Svensson and Lagerberg issued music as Paus. (Lagerberg also worked with Johansson under the name Brothers of End.) The group reunited for occasional live shows during the 2010s, although without Svensson, who by this time was spending more time on pop music, writing and playing for an array of pop stars produced by Max Martin (One Direction, Avril Lavigne, Ellie Goulding, Ariana Grande, and Meghan Trainor). | ||
 | Album: 1 of 10 Title: Emmerdale Released: 1994-02-18 Tracks: 12 Duration: 43:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sick & Tired (03:25) 2 Black Letter Day (04:31) 3 In the Afternoon (04:10) 4 Over the Water (02:16) 5 After All… (02:56) 6 Cloudy Sky (04:08) 7 Our Space (03:31) 8 Rise & Shine (03:31) 9 Celia Inside (03:36) 10 Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (04:32) 11 Seems Hard (03:57) 12 Last Song (03:21) |
| Emmerdale : Allmusic album Review : Though the sky is sunny on the cover, Emmerdale is quite a melancholy affair. First song "Sick & Tired" (the single) hints that all is not well in the Cardigans camp, and later songs ("Black Letter Day," "After All...," "Cloudy Sky") also capture a depressed mood which conflicts with the mostly upbeat and positive arrangements. Of course, all but two of the original songs were written by a converted metal fan, bassist Magnus Svenignsson. In keeping with that fact, the cover of "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" shouldnt surprise anyone, though its clever arrangement and the touching vocals of Nina Persson -- even though shes throwing around Ozzy Osbourne lyrics -- render the song practically unrecognizable. In the end, the battle between positive arrangements and melancholy lyrics creates a wistful mood that suits the Cardigans well. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 10 Title: Life Released: 1995-03-01 Tracks: 13 Duration: 47:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Carnival (03:37) 2 Gordon’s Gardenparty (03:21) 3 Daddy’s Car (03:36) 4 Sick and Tired (03:24) 5 Tomorrow (03:04) 6 Rise and Shine (03:31) 7 Beautiful One (03:28) 8 Travelling With Charley (04:11) 9 Fine (03:10) 10 Celia Inside (04:42) 11 Hey! Get Out of My Way (03:32) 12 After All... (02:56) 13 Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (04:31) |
| Life : Allmusic album Review : With tongue firmly in cheek, the Cardigans decided to play up the candyfloss arrangements of their debut for second album Life. Where Emmerdale studied an introverted melancholy, Life is undiminished in both its independent-minded exuberance ("Hey! Get Out of My Way") and zest to enjoy life with others ("Daddys Car," "Gordons Gardenparty"). The incredible production and quality of arrangement from the debut are here also, even more strikingly crisp and spot-on. (Over 50 instruments were used on the 14 songs included on the Minty Fresh American release.) Though the Cardigans planned Life as something of a joke, it became one of the finest pop albums of the 90s. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 10 Title: Rise & Shine: Under the Covers Released: 1996 Tracks: 5 Duration: 18:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Rise and Shine (03:32) 2 The Boys Are Back in Town (04:03) 3 Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (04:33) 4 Mr. Crowley (02:36) 5 In the Afternoon (04:11) |
 | Album: 4 of 10 Title: First Band on the Moon Released: 1996-08-10 Tracks: 11 Duration: 39:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Your New Cuckoo (03:54) 2 Been It (04:04) 3 Heartbreaker (03:42) 4 Happy Meal II (02:36) 5 Never Recover (03:20) 6 Step on Me (03:53) 7 Lovefool (03:16) 8 Losers (03:17) 9 Iron Man (04:19) 10 Great Divide (03:16) 11 Choke (03:25) |
| First Band on the Moon : Allmusic album Review : For listeners who had caught up with the Cardigans on their breakout album, Life, the groups third album was a confusing pastiche which included several conventional pop songs, but also added tracks with left-field arrangements and some (comparatively) disturbing lyrics. In reality, however, the group had simply returned to the mood and feel of their debut album. On Emmerdale, the melancholy was personal and solitary in nature, but here depression is focused on unfaithful lovers -- in both the songs which vocalist Nina Persson helped out with lyrics and those written by the rest of the band ("Choke," "Step on Me," "The Great Divide"). Even the single, "Lovefool," is a depressing lament of unrequited affection, and the presence of another Black Sabbath cover ("Iron Man") certainly isnt an immediate upper. Still, First Band on the Moon is saved by the Cardigans core strengths: Perssons vocals and Svenssons arrangements. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 10 Title: The Other Side of the Moon Released: 1997 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:00:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 War (first try) (04:10) 2 I Figured Out (02:07) 3 Plain Parade (03:32) 4 Laika (01:20) 5 Pooh Song (03:17) 6 Mr. Crowley (02:36) 7 Emmerdale (02:26) 8 The Boys Are Back in Town (04:03) 9 Carnival (Puck version) (02:54) 10 Nasty Sunny Beam (02:54) 11 Iron Man (First Try) (03:42) 12 Blah Blah Blah (03:00) 13 Losers (first try) (03:16) 14 Country Hell (02:48) 15 After All (02:39) 16 Cocktail Party Bloody Cocktail Party (15:47) |
| The Other Side of the Moon : Allmusic album Review : A 16-track collection chock-full of B-sides and other rarities, the Cardigans Other Side of the Moon is both a fun listen and proof that the Cardigans are odder and more subversive than chart hits like "Lovefool" might indicate. For one thing, they have a wicked sense of humor, as indicated by their cover choices. Thin Lizzys "The Boys Are Back in Town" takes on a whole new cast when reconfigured into a slinky, disco-tinged bossa nova, and the a cappella revision of Ozzy Osbournes "Mr. Crowley" is just weird. (Some members of the group have roots in Swedens black metal scene, explaining their long-standing Ozzy Osbourne fixation: demos of "Iron Man" and "War Pigs" are also included, and the bizarre 16-minute "Cocktail Party Bloody Cocktail Party" is self-explanatory.) The original tracks are all quite good, with most of them as solid as any of the tunes on their proper albums. The petulant "I Figured Out" and a rocked-up alternate version of "Carnival" are particular gems. Other Side of the Moon is a handy collection for those fans who werent obsessed enough to track the original singles down. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 10 Title: Gran Turismo Released: 1998-10-19 Tracks: 11 Duration: 42:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Paralyzed (04:57) 2 Erase/Rewind (03:36) 3 Explode (04:04) 4 Starter (03:53) 5 Hanging Around (03:44) 6 Higher (04:32) 7 Marvel Hill (04:15) 8 My Favourite Game (03:38) 9 Do You Believe (03:22) 10 Junk of the Hearts (04:08) 11 Nil (02:17) |
| Gran Turismo : Allmusic album Review : With "Lovefool," the Cardigans catapulted from a cult favorite to an international phenomenon. Instead of being happy with their success, they fretted about their artistic credibility, concerned that they were seen as merely a light pop band instead of an ironic pop band. This is usually a danger sign for any young band, since it results in a self-conscious departure from form -- and that is exactly what Gran Turismo, the follow-up to First Band on the Moon, is. There are still elements of the groups appealing melodic style, but they have trimmed away their sense of humor and style, adding vague electronica experiments and mildly distorted guitars in their wake. Truth be told, there were always hints of despair beneath the Cardigans shiny surface, but they often sound as if theyre trying too hard to be serious throughout this labored, self-conscious album. Since the band has talent, there are not only hints of past glory, there are suggestions where the group intended to go, but too often Gran Turismo sounds like diluted Garbage, not new-school Cardigans. It may simply be a transitional album, but its a dispiriting listen, nevertheless. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 10 Title: 2 in 1 Released: 2000 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:14:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Paralyzed (04:56) 2 My Favourite Game (03:38) 3 Erase/Rewind (03:36) 4 Explode (04:06) 5 Starter (03:52) 6 Hanging Around (03:43) 7 Higher (04:33) 8 Marvel Hill (04:17) 9 Do You Believe (03:23) 10 Junk of the Hearts (04:09) 11 Nil (02:18) 12 Your New Cuckoo (03:57) 13 Heartbreaker (03:44) 14 Happy Meal II (02:38) 15 Step on Me (03:50) 16 Lovefool (03:16) 17 Losers (03:19) 18 Iron Man (04:19) 19 Great Divide (03:18) 20 Choke (03:25) |
 | Album: 8 of 10 Title: Long Gone Before Daylight Released: 2003-03-24 Tracks: 12 Duration: 53:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Communication (04:28) 2 You’re the Storm (03:53) 3 A Good Horse (03:17) 4 And Then You Kissed Me (06:03) 5 Couldnt Care Less (05:32) 6 Please Sister (04:37) 7 For What It’s Worth (04:18) 8 Lead Me Into the Night (04:32) 9 Live and Learn (04:16) 10 Feathers and Down (04:30) 11 03.45: No Sleep (03:43) 1 If There Is a Chance (04:13) |
| Long Gone Before Daylight : Allmusic album Review : If any clue were needed to confirm a new direction for the Cardigans -- that is, other than the music itself -- its the change of hair color for vocalist Nina Persson. Previously an icy blonde that approached white (best flaunted on the cover of Life), Perssons hair is now jet black, a color that matches her confessional mood and conflicted feelings about love on the Swedish groups fifth studio album. Produced by Per Sunding (career-long collaborator Tore Johansson left after an initial session), Long Gone Before Daylight is understated and well-designed, a musicians record, one that sounds more like an MTV Unplugged session than the high-energy chamber pop of their early recordings. Unfortunately, its also over-produced to within an inch of its artistic life, and lacks the quality songs and exquisite productions that the group had made a hallmark. Persson composed all the lyrics, rewriting the Spector standard "He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss)" into "And Then You Kissed Me" (sample lyric: "Baby you hit me/Yeah, you punched me right in the heart/And then you kissed me...and then you hit me"). Guitarist Peter Svensson took care of all the music, relying on familiar pop archetypes but forswearing the catchy hooks in favor of carefully constructed songs. Still, the Cardigans dont have enough musical personality on their own to carry these songs; theyve always been a surprisingly workmanlike band -- their performances here are sympathetic and intricate -- but they simply cant rise above this subpar material. [The American release, which followed over a year after the Canadian and European issues, included a bonus DVD featuring three videos and three live tracks, plus interviews.] | ||
 | Album: 9 of 10 Title: Super Extra Gravity Released: 2005-10-17 Tracks: 13 Duration: 45:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Losing a Friend (03:49) 2 Godspell (03:29) 3 Drip Drop Teardrop (03:22) 4 Overload (03:18) 5 I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer (03:33) 6 Don’t Blame Your Daughter (Diamonds) (03:36) 7 Little Black Cloud (03:26) 8 In the Round (04:16) 9 Holy Love (04:07) 10 Good Morning Joan (03:36) 11 And Then You Kissed Me II (04:03) 12 Bonus Tracks (00:20) 13 Slowdown Town (04:08) |
| Super Extra Gravity : Allmusic album Review : The Cardigans gained the respect of listeners in the mid-90s, not for the impossibly sunny triteness of their lyrics, but for the wonderful songs and productions that seemed to emanate from Malmo, Sweden, and the minds of the groups core trio: vocalist Nina Persson, songwriter Peter Svensson, and producer Tore Johansson. More than ten years after their debut, a few things had changed -- the lyrics were no longer sunnily trite but cynically trite, and the songs and productions were no longer so wonderful. Super Extra Gravity matches their previous record, Long Gone Before Daylight, for its dour mood and sour attitude, its lack of discernible hooks, and the unappetizing flavor of the Cardigans performances. First of all, Perssons lyrics are eccentric and unconvincing. She may not have truly meant it when she sang, "Come on and love me now," a lyric from an early album, but she sang it like she meant it; here, on "Overload," she asks, "Baby dance with me," but sounds like its the last thing on her mind. (Listeners are easily capable of appreciating irony, but they like to be allowed in on the joke.) Secondly, Svenssons songs are understated and drab. Those qualities could work if they were combined with the work of a gifted lyricist, but unfortunately thats not the case. Finally, Johanssons productions only occasionally allow a hint of brightness and color into the proceedings. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 10 Title: Best Of Released: 2008-01-28 Tracks: 46 Duration: 2:37:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Rise & Shine (03:31) 2 Sick & Tired (03:25) 3 After All… (02:56) 4 Carnival (03:37) 5 Daddy’s Car (03:36) 6 Lovefool (03:16) 7 Been It (03:42) 8 Losers (03:17) 9 War (03:57) 10 My Favourite Game (03:38) 11 Erase/Rewind (03:36) 12 Hanging Around (03:44) 13 Higher (04:32) 14 For What It’s Worth (04:18) 15 You’re the Storm (03:53) 16 Live and Learn (04:16) 17 Communication (04:28) 18 I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer (03:33) 19 Don’t Blame Your Daughter (Diamonds) (03:36) 20 Godspell (03:29) 21 Bonus Track (00:22) 22 Burning Down the House (03:38) 1 Pooh Song (03:13) 2 After All… (demo ’93) (02:37) 3 I Figured Out (demo ’93) (02:07) 4 Laika (01:20) 5 Plain Parade (03:32) 6 Emmerdale (02:26) 7 Carnival (Puck version) (02:52) 8 Happy Meal (02:39) 9 Nasty Sunny Beam (02:54) 10 Blah Blah Blah (03:00) 11 Losers (first try) (03:16) 12 Country Hell (02:48) 13 Lovefool (Puck version) (03:16) 14 War (first try) (04:10) 15 Deuce (03:36) 16 The Road (06:51) 17 Hold Me (mini version) (00:36) 18 Hold Me (03:41) 19 If There Is a Chance (04:16) 20 For the Boys (03:38) 21 (If You Were) Less Like Me (04:05) 22 Slowdown Town (04:07) 23 Give Me Your Eyes (03:23) 24 Slow (04:01) |
| Best Of : Allmusic album Review : Unfortunately, the Cardigans are best known in the United States for their 1997 single "Lovefool," a fluke Top 40 hit thanks to its inclusion on the soundtrack to Baz Luhrmanns splashy updating of Romeo and Juliet. In that context, the Swedish quintet came off as Europop lightweights, Ace of Base with a bit more indie cred. This truly did the group a disservice, because as Best of the Cardigans reveals, Nina Persson and company were a truly gifted pop band that delivered some of the most intoxicating singles of the 90s. Proceeding in chronological order from 1994s Emmerdale through 2005s Super Extra Gravity, the 22 tracks are front-loaded with many of the bands finest, from their winsome debut single "Rise and Shine" to the tongue in cheek lounge pop of the singles from 1995s Life, the glorious "Carnival" (arguably their career high point) and "Daddys Car." A more conventional alt-rock sound enters circa 1997s First Band on the Moons bitter kiss-off "Been It," and by the time of later albums like the electronica-inspired Gran Turismo and the moody Long Gone Before Daylight, the Cardigans seemed stung by misapprehensions about their earlier work that had overlooked its ironic humor and seen only the bubblegummy surface. That seems to have changed, however, if the 22-second long "Bonus Track" and the glitchy dance-rock take on Talking Heads "Burning Down the House," with guest vocals by Tom Jones, that end the disc are any indication. | ||