New Cardigans sampler

So it's really annoying for all these songs to be so spare and sparse, and about the only one with any kick, "For What It's Worth", which is ruined by Nina's a-a-ahs right at the end of it. There are some good songs on there, but "Communication" is extremely weak for an opening song, and the aforementioned FWIW is the worst single they've ever put out.

"You're The Storm" is excellent (one imagines if it weren't for all the war analogies this would be the single), and I like "Lead Me Into The Night" and "Feathers and Down" but I can't get excited. I imagined Grand Turismo as a platform to something even better - particularly songs like "Paralyzed" and "Higher" which were just outstanding - lush, gorgeous, Swedish precision ballads with swirling keyboards and choirs, but this new one really does sound like a bunch of songs that weren't good enough to fit on Grand Turismo or A Camp.

I hate everything lately.

I'm betting this is their first time out without Tore Johansson?

now that's an under rated song.

Sweden must have NPR too, then.

that's Never Recover from First Band On The Moon. fuckin' great album.

The only great album out on the Minty Fresh label in the '90s was The Legendary Jim Ruiz Group's Oh Brother Where Art Thou?, as glistening as Life on the surface, but so much sadder and weirder...

Let them have their "easy" record. It's beautiful.

Rise & Shine
Sick & Tired
Carnival
Daddy's Car
Lovefool
Been It
Your New Cuckoo
Happy Meal II
Never Recover
Step On Me
My Favourite Game
Erase/Rewind
A Camp - I Can Buy You
A Camp - Frequent Flyer
A Camp - Song for the Leftovers
For What It's Worth
Communication
You're The Storm
And Then You Kissed Me
Live And Learn
For the Boys

(79:49, chronological AFAIK according to initial song release)

Also, forgot to mention that's my official Cardigans 'portable' CD80 go!

"Lovefool" (obviously their signature tune)
"My Favourite Game"
"I Can Buy You" (actually Nina side project 'A Camp')
"For What It's Worth"

and yes, who's got something new???

Also I'M GAY!

y'know?

http://www.villagevoice.com/specials/pazznjop/03/voted_for.php?titleid=202937

Mark, you are my hero. It had such a difficult release here in the USA. Didn't come out til last year, but of course that means we got the DVD with the excellent videos - Nina looks so great as Loretta Lynn!

The last album was tricky in that the sampler basically contained the four weakest songs on the album and the rest was amazing (tho the US version which has "For The Boys" is better, and the full length "Hold Me" was far too good to be a B-side), so I'm a little suspicious that I love "I Need Some Fine Wine" absolutely off the bat.

It's a great month for pop singles.

What is interesting if you've got all their albums is how different they all are, there's a definite progression and they always try and do something different. I think they are a lot more interesting in this respect than most realise. I'm almost slightly disappointed in the new song because it feels quite similar to the stuff on the last album. Looking forward to the full album though. Certainly the cover if you find it doesn't indicate that it's musically like the last one, it's the cover of a pop record not an alt-country record.

Hey! Get Out Of My Way!
Never Recover
Step On Me
Nasty Sunny Beam
War
Paralyzed
Higher
Hold Me
Lead Me Into The Night
For The Boys

01. Carnival
02. Gordon's Gardenparty
03. In The Afternoon
04. Daddy's Car
05. Black Letter Day
06. Sick And Tired
07. Cloudy Sky
08. Tomorrow
09. Rise And Shine
10. The Boys Are Back In Town
11. I Figured Out
12. Beautiful One
13. Fine
14. Sunday Circus Song
15. Celia Inside
16. Over The Water
17. Hey! Get Out Of My Way
18. After All...
19. Pooh Song
20. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

4 August - House Of Blues, Chicago IL
5 August - Navy Pier, Chicago IL (Cancelled)
7 August - Earthlink Live, Atlanta GA
9 August - Verizon Wireless Theater, Houston TX
10 August - Sunset Station - Lonestar Pavilion, San Antonio TX
11 August - Gypsy Tea Room & Ballroom, Dallas TX
14 August - Marquee Theatre, Tempe AZ
15 August - 4th & B Theater, San Diego CA
17 August - House Of Blues, West Hollywood CA
18 August - House Of Blues, Anaheim CA
19 August - The Fillmore, San Fransisco CA
21 August - House Of Blues, Las Vegas NV
23 August - Paramount Theatre, Denver CO
25 August - Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis MN
27 August - Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak MI
28 August - Kool Haus, Toronto ONT Canada
30 August - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, NH
1 September - Webster Hall, New York NY
2 September - Electric Factory, Philadelphia PA
3 September - 9:30 Club, Washington DC

Those who don't like the production on Long Gone Before Daylight may be able ot find some solice within the fact that they've reuinited with Tore Johansson, who produced their first 4 albums (from "Emmerdale" (1994) to "Gran Turismo" (1998); and has since worked with people as far-ranging in genre as Franz Ferdinand to Melanie C). The new album is said to be similar to Long Gone Before Daylight, in the aspect that nothing but natural instruments have been used, no synth, no drum machines (which cluttered Gran Turismo to an almost-unbearable extent), etc. The nearest thing I could suggest you check out would be the song "For The Boys", which was recorded a year after the sessions for LGBD wrapped up, and was made specifically for the US version - because Koch Records needed a single. It has that type of sound - earthy, yet still uptempo and rocky... like a mix of "My Favourite Game" and "Live And Learn".

Toodles.

By the way, to the people that still don't like LGBD - put the CD into your player, and set the Play Mode to "Random". I'm beginning to think people don't like the album because of the running order.

Actually, this is quite true. Could do with a reshuffle, and maybe dropping "Couldn't Care Less" in favour of "Hold Me", then it'd be perfect.

Wow, I'm surprised I never noticed the similarities between a song like Lovefool and FF.

http://s25.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1VM7K048PQ0GF268VGEO0NXEHR

(the cover design and photography for the new record is great too).

an interview with Nina:

http://www.cardigans.com/?sid=article&pid=read&id=3082

(this also tells you how often the 50-disc changer gets cleaned out; I tend to just yank things out randomly when I want to hear something)

But "Overload" is, as I said above, absolutely magnificent, though not quite as good as, say, "Paralyzed" or "Lead Me Into The Night".

i was scared to play it for the first week or so that i had it. it's their sixth album and i was afraid their music may have lost any interesting aspects by now, just since it's been so long. but nah, they're still great. one of my favorites.

oh, by the way, the single they have out now is actually, probably the least best song on the album. don't let that one detour your interest if you have any.

How long is "Drip drop teardrop" supposed to be, btw? iTunes suggests that the track is 3:22; the mp3 I have is only about 2:54, and ends quite abruptly, although it also sounds like it could be like that.

did it come with the bonus tracks? i think it's a better album without them, as originally released

Long Gone Before Daylight has to be one of the best records of this decade

it makes me think of Richard and Linda Thompson's Shoot Out The Lights in terms of portrait-of-a-breakup records -- even though it's only told from one person's perspective, there's still this incredible push and pull to the story

it also makes me think of Patsy Cline's 12 Greatest Hits, which of course is a compilation but one of the finest concept albums ever -- when you go to Patsy's album, she sang about breaking hearts just as often as single desolation, but when they lined up only the heartache for the best of, the continuity made for a masterpiece. on that album, when you get to the one happy song, 'Back In Baby's Arms', it comes across as unbelievable dread, in this context it's obviously such a horrifying mistake. when Long Gone Before Daylight picks up the pace in the middle, it is such a sledgehammer

this is the only album when you're drinking or still awake at 4AM because you can't stop thinking about them

correction -- when you go to Patsy's original albums

& further correction when I say 'can't stop thinking about them' I sorta meant the exes we all have, though in each individual case it's only one person you can't stop thinking about. but this album has such a universal feeling to it, it helps you take whatever you're dealing with a little less personally which is pretty much exactly what you need to be doing

The strange things you find on YouTube... Nina Persson & Soundtrack Of Our Lives covering "Whole Lotta Love" - while Zeppelin watches from the audience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ0pgCR-nWE

wow, that's fantastic!

Awesome!

the new A Camp album (Colonia) is great. I think I posted this on another thread to resounding silence.

Yeah, it is really good!
And now I really like the album that i started this thread to grumble about, too. oh well.

Woke up today in a total "First Band On The Moon" mood today, I do love these guys.

The video for Carnival is so happy and Nina looks so beautiful and careffree:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFIM4HMKNY4

"Communication" from 'Long Gone Before Daylight" makes me think of having a free (included), continental breakfast at a Holiday Inn in the southern United States.

I like this thread. I like how a couple of you hated 'Long Gone Before Daylight' at first, and then, finally came around.
Hell, I felt the same way too, at first, and then I finally came around. It might be their best album.

Anyway, "For What It's Worth" could be their best song, considering all -- someone upthread (I can't find it, forgive me) said the 'Ah Ah Ah's during the last post-chorus ruined the song. And, to that, I must say, what the wth, those 'Ah Ah Ah's' make the song!

The Cardigans are in my top 10 favorite bands. They can do no wrong, as far as I'm concerned.

Also: This is my first post! I've been lurking for 10 years. I love all of you shitfucks!

I'll rep for "You're the Storm"

Long Gone Before Daylight is getting a vinyl reissue for Record Store Day this month. I'm really excited.

anyone more in the know than i have a word on there whereabouts as of late???
um, if i'm not totally mistaken, wasn't 'Super Extra Gravity' already 10 years ago (god, how time flies. i still remember anticipating that album).

i know there's been an A Camp album since, but... i always thought these guys would keep chugging along.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/nov/03/cult-heroes-the-cardigans-a-platinum-selling-anomaly

xp Wish they would repress Gran Turismo. I've never seen it on Discogs for under $200.

Jeez, not get all Bimble on your asses (did he like the Cardis? he loved The Sundays), but 'Long Gone Before Daylight' is an album to travel through life with, at your side.

Peter Svensson has been spending the last few years writing and producing for the likes of Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Carly Rae Jepsen, One Direction, etc.

Nina released a solo album last year called Animal Heart. I didn't think it was that great. Would love a new Cardigans album.

It's great to see Long Gone Before Daylight has a bit of a following now. Such a gorgeous album.

I'm not sure about the repressing of Gran Turismo. People keep asking about vinyl reissues and they have responded with things along the lines of we've asked the record company but they're not interested. I was surprised to see Long Gone on the RSD list. Hopefully this will be the start of a reissue campaign if it sells well.

Why on Earth would anyone wanna listen to The Cardigans on Vinyl... besides Emmerdale and Life, which sound wonderful with surface noise!

Seriously, 'First Band on the Moon' onward. Why? Surface noise would ruin that album and forth on.

Really? I don't think it would ruin the sound at all. When I got into Gran Turismo, I just had a tape dubbed from a friend's CD copy so I guess I'm just used to hearing it that way. It's an album with lots of space and quiet parts, which is the kind of stuff I like hearing on vinyl.

ahh. i respect your view.
this is a conversation for a different thread!

first couple albums sound wonderful on vinyl, but not the rest.

Peter Svensson has been spending the last few years writing and producing for the likes of Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Carly Rae Jepsen, One Direction, etc.

― MarkoP, Tuesday, November 3, 2015 10:30 AM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

oh rly? Which songs?

one step ahead of you

http://www.discogs.com/artist/256765-Peter-Svensson?filter_anv=0&subtype=Production&type=Credits

You can almost hear him in there somewhere but it's a little depressing. Glad he's working though.

oh hey he's responsible for my favorite one direction song

wow...

can't feel my face!

Definitely got to break out the Cardigans in summertime

Good call. First Band queuing up 4 later

Still waiting on the rest of those vinyl reissues I mentioned on this thread 18 months ago. That Long Gone Before Daylight reissue was wonderful. Emmerdale, Life and First Band On The Moon are the ones I would love to get. That's a brilliant run of albums.

Yeah totally brilliant. I absolutely LOVE Gran Turismo too

I could never get into Gran Turismo in the same way. I do love Higher, Explode, Paralyzed, Hanging Around and Erase/Rewind, I don't really rate much else. That second half in particular always seemed so forgettable apart from My Favourite Game.

Hey Kitchen, fair enough. I heard it as a highschooler and it blew my mind, perhaps it was a question of timing and nostalgia.

First time I heard Long Gone Before Daylight I thought it wasn't the Cardigans I knew and loved, but eventually was won over. The b-side THE ROAD rules

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv7yXB9iW5g

I think of Gran Turismo almost as a great album by a band who aren't Cardigans. Like, the direction of the band obviously changed majorly between Gran Turismo and the prior First Band On The Moon, but if you remove GT from the narrative, the change of direction seems slightly more logical.
I understand that when they tour they only do stuff from the last three albums now anyway.

^ have they toured recently?

only last 3 albums is a total bummer.

I think they've been playing the odd date here and there over the last few years including some festivals. I'd love them to tour properly and make a new record.

Thanks for posting The Road. I've never heard that one before. They did have a few good B-sides. For The Boys from I Need Some Fine Wine is a good one too.

cool, I'll check that out :)

I'm a huge persson fan, love the first two A-CAMP records as well, was not sold on her last one however

I love every song on Gran Turismo.

I'm a huge persson fan, love the first two A-CAMP records as well, was not sold on her last one however

― Unchanging Window (Ross)

Yeah, her last solo album wasn't great apart from the title track. I love the first A-Camp album, I don't know the second one as well. I should give that and Gran Turismo more of a chance.

Can't stop listening to these guys at the moment. Long Gone Before Daylight will always be my favourite but Emmerdale and First Band On The Moon have been sounding so good recently.

In the last update about those reissues they said they're bringing out two B-side compilations too. Sounds good to me.

time to break out the cardigans

Still waiting on those vinyl reissues!

i still rinse super extra gravity on the regular. losing a friend is such a ride of a song.

lord that's the only record of theirs i haven't heard, what a mistake eh?

lgbd took a long time to grow on me, but once it did

Godspell, Don't Blame Your Daughter and I Need Some Fine Wine are three of the best songs they ever did.

gonna dload asap

still stan hard for their early material, especially sabbath bloody sabbath

20th anniversary of Gran Turismo being marked with a tour this winter

.........holy shit

Lucky uk fans! Might have to fly out there tbh

Beaming with the announcement of the Manchester show. Beaming.

oh neat-o, im in manchester. listening to gran turismo rn, only really played super extra gravity before all that much. it's fun, weird as ever -- i hope they play some more hits too though...

Says they’re playing it in its entirety.
Hopefully they do an encore

if you want me, I'm your country

Ya, hoping for loads of LGBD in the encore.

Or alternatively a LGBD UK tour in 5 years. Not that I'm greedy or anything.

yknow, i feel like the cardigans are such a middle ground pop band, and the songs aren't all that amazing, but theres something about them and the delivery that's compelling for me. i feel the same way about Metric, except emily haines' songs are leagues more lyrical - on their early work, at least... idk, i digress

dunno, cardigan's write great songs

Fantastic pop songs.

Got me tickets no problem - well apart from the fact that "service charges" exceeding a fiver should be legislated against in the Geneva Conventions.

Oh damn. Enjoy the show

Thanks! I will no doubt be bumping this thread a few times prior to as I do the customary blasts through the discography.

Keep bumping it

on my third/fourth playround of gran turismo and it delivers! explode is such a belter.

damn right

Going to the Glasgow show.

goddamn i broke up with a long distance partner of four years this month and 'communication' is really everything lyrically...

Bless your soul. Know the feeling

Funny thing. So I was revisiting Long Gone Before Daylight last week and all and it was great, as good as I remember - but something was missing.

And then I found it in a folder on my harddrive - the 2004 KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic session. I'm ashamed of forgetting about it because christ, I must have listened to this acoustic set a hundred times. Gorgeous arrangements.

1. Intro
2. And Then You Kissed Me
3. Erase/Rewind
4. You're The Storm
5. interview
6. For What It's Worth
7. Communication
8. My Favourite Game
9. Outro

Highly recommend having a listen on youtube.

Good bside from that rec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv7yXB9iW5g

can we talk about the gorgeous irony in 'higher', wherein the lyrics sing of ascension while the bass line descends in contrast

i can't wait to see this album played live. not bought a ticket yet, but it's £40 - and most the videos i've seen of them playing live to date have been a bit disappointing... anybody seen them care to chime in?

I saw them on the Super Extra Gravity tour and it was incredible but then again I am a huge fan. They don't touch anything pre Gran Turismo now.

Holy hell, why did no one tell me how fucking good they were in the mid-90s??!?!

spun 'first band on the moon last night' for the first time. what a strange little record. 'iron man' cover is funny. i didnt realise how much i love lounge pop. always did like that 'vertigogo' song from four rooms, though. so so excited for next month

i had no idea they were playing again but a friend of mine mentioned a london show. the website I saw for them hasn't been updated in years.

yeah they dont really play at all anymore. such a surprise. maybe we'll have another LP at some point

"how I always memorize every single misery / and I seem to glorify everything inside of me!"

i've really rinsed gran turismo the past few months, and first band on the moon is so emotionally delicate in contrast to GT's cold, hard, clinical production. the drums are warm and buried, vibraphone and gentle tuned percussion everywhere... im just having so much fun exploring their catalogue.

Absolutey joyous seeing Nina bang a cowbell and command the stage last night. Her voice is just as good as always.

Plenty of Long Gone Before Daylight after the Gran Turismo run through so I’m a happy chappy .

Nitpicking the crowd was a bit flat at the Manchester Apollo, (imagine the Glasgow show will be a bit more fun).

Surprised the support was Jenny Wilson which was a v left field choice. Best light show I’ve seen in a while.

Jenny Wilson being the support act seems a difficult choice but I'm really excited to see her, she's the kind of act I've followed over the years with fondness knowing it's unrealistic I would ever get to see her so when I saw it revealed at the weekend I was gladly surprised.

i danced my ass off tonight in manchester. first night of the tour. they played the LP in running order then a lot of LGBD. new guitar player. crowd was dead, nobody knew the words - though of course everyone went crazy for 'lovefool'.

i hadnt been to an arena show in years, and found it so weird. mostly people talking all the way through. you paid £40 to be here. what the fuck? so many iphones in the air. its so weird.

this bootleg i took is dedicated to the sneering, arrogant engineer (who wasn't mixing for cardigans) who told me i couldn't place my field recorder on the table nearby his console: "what? who are you? no. no recording"

https://youtu.be/jugSNcJaoEc

tbh it was pretty daft of me to ask, i guess im just so used to it not being an issue at diy shows

The show was great - shes a real leader as well as a performer - and Gran Turismo sounded really good but it was the LGBD stuff that was incredible. I think its easy to overlook how great the two albums are that they've released this century

The crowd were so uninspiring though - no dancing, no energy, no fun. Even "Lovefool" and "Carnival" were met with seeming indifference, it almost felt like everyone there was attending by accident

BUT I am quite drunk and I got to meet Jenny Wilson and thank her for her amazing, fearless album so it was definitely a victory of sorts

yes! what a weird show. carnival was the last song? its the only one i didnt recognise. hope you enjoy the recording

it was the LGBD stuff that was incredible

omg i believe it

oh no wait that was No Sleep...

oh sorry yr talking about the show tonight i presume. my bad

well, we're never getting a new album, are we, but...

https://music.apple.com/gb/album/the-rest-of-the-best-vol-1/1764932320