Dödfödd - Demo I & II

Band: Dödfödd

Album: Demo I & II

Year: 2002

Country: Sweden

It's only April and it already feels like summer here in Sweden. And what better way to shield one self from the radiant sun than listen to ice cold Black Metal? . Dödfödd, which means Stillborn in Swedish, is a hidden gem in Swedish Black Metal and is often overlooked. After the split up the founding members went on to form the band Ofermod that perhaps is a bit more well known. Dödfödd released three demos during their short lifespan, this is a compilation of the first two demos Livlös Massa, Dödfödd Själ and Förfall, Undergång och Död. I personally prefer the second part of the demo which is a bit better produced but still has that dirty sound that make it sound like the band just crawled up from a grave somewhere, thirsting for blood and reeking of rot and decay. The complaint I have about this release is the intro to the first part, perhaps it's just me but I feel like a three minute mash-up of outtakes from something that sounds like a bad B-movie horror is a proper way to start a demo. But if you don't suffer from the lastfm-syndrome and need to scrobble every song you can just skip that part.

So if you don't feel like lush green grass, popsongs and sunshine is your game then I suggest you treat yourself to some nice raw and misanthropic Black Metal. Treat yourself to some Dödfödd, I guarantee that it will wash the smile from your face.

Song(s) you should listen to: The whole second part of the demo shows progression over the first without drifting away from the roots. The best and rawest of them all however is Viddernas Herre, it is also the fastest. Some might say that this is a stereotypic song that don't bring anything new to the table but who cares as long as it's good? I have to give extra credits to the drum fills that really gives this song an extra dimension.

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Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson - Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson

Band: Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson

Album: Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson

Year: 2010

Country: Norway

I was lucky to find this album on a record convention some days ago, kind of unexpected I must say. I have to comment on the layout on this album before I go any further, it comes as a thirty page-thick book with lyrics, artwork and the album on double cd. I really like bands that put a little extra thought into their releases, wish I had a good camera so I could take a picture of it's content but here is a picture of how the exterior looks like. Cute huh?

Now on to the music. You have probably figured out just by the name that this i another post-rock band. What differs YPOFH from other bands in the genre is that the elements of pop-music is more prominent, a strong indicator to that is the fact that there actually are vocals in the songs. I usually never miss vocals when listening to post-rock but I couldn't picture (pun intended) YPOFH without the silky smooth singing. Sometimes it is actually the singing that highlights some song, for example in the song Our Door Handles Stopped Moving Years Ago where they repeat this phrase in a choir at the end of the song. I always find myself singing along to those parts without even thinking about it.

I recomend this album to everyone who enjoys well played and sugar sweet post-rock. Put it on and let yourself drift away for a brief moment, you know you're worth it.

Wonder if Florence Henderson herself listens to this band, hmm.

Song(s) You Should Listen To: Every song on this album is worth mentioning but I'll try to pick just a few. I'd Rather Listen To Weston is the song of on the record where the pop-influences shows the most. I really like the guitar-loop that kicks in at 4:20, it sticks right away and really lifts the song.

Our Door Handles Stopped Moving Years Ago is worth listening to just to hear the choir at the end. The song itself is very slow and mostly vocal-oriented, it also has a lot of string instrument which make it really coozy.

The best song must be The League Will Never Let the Albino Kid Win. It's one of those songs that builds up and then burst into full bloom at the end. And this is a really delicate flower.

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