- Audio CD (31 Aug 2001)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Polydor Group
- ASIN: B00005NMVH
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 26,959 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Frequent flyer |
| 2. I can buy you |
| 3. Angel of sadness |
| 4. Such a bad comedown |
| 5. Song for the leftovers |
| 6. Walking the cow |
| 7. Hard as a stone |
| 8. Algebra |
| 9. Silent night |
| 10. The same old song |
| 11. The oddness of the lord |
| 12. Rock 'n' roll ghost |
| 13. The bluest eyes in Texas |
| 14. Elephant |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
A Camp is the sound of the Cardigans' Nina Persson getting back to her roots. When "Lovefool" catapulted the Cardigans into the major league courtesy of the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack, the ensuing global pop fame threatened to implode the band. They responded by turning into a snarling rock beast with Gran Turismo, but relations became further strained. In a period of rest and recuperation, Cardigans singer Nina Persson turned her nose up at that particular rock beast and went back to her bittersweet guitar beginnings. What A Camp isn't, though, is a retread of early Cardigans. It's a mature, reflective album with lush country overtones that resound with a strident melancholy. Not surprising, perhaps, when Sparklehorse leader Mark Linkous was at the production controls. Even with that influence behind her, A Camp is very much Persson's vehicle. It's the sound of a woman ditching the PVC trousers and blonde tresses for chic dresses and a black bob, leaving the small stuff behind and growing up. All told, it's an unexpectedly pleasing graduation, with honours. --Ben Clancy
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Nina Persson's "debut solo album" (as described on the promo sticker) began life in Sweden in 1998, the same year as the Cardigans' Gran Turismo. It was completed in America throughout 2000 with producer Mark Linkous from the excellent Sparklehorse, during time off from the Cardigans, which had clearly taken on a life of its own, not entirely of her choosing.
A Camp was born in 1997 after a meeting with Niclas Frisk, who co-wrote most of the songs and plays on several of them. Boyfriend Nathan Larson (from Shudder To Think) also plays on all but one of the tracks and co-wrote the opening song. Frequent Flyer sets the mood of the album as it opens with eerie samples, theremin sounds, thuddy drums and Nina's gorgeously bittersweet vocals over an engaging melody. In fact the tunes retain a high standard throughout and the quirky production (though mainstream by Sparklehorse standards) is never less than complementary and interesting. Angel Of Sadness is a stand-out song although I Can Buy You made a first class single.
A Camp was born in 1997 after a meeting with Niclas Frisk, who co-wrote most of the songs and plays on several of them. Boyfriend Nathan Larson (from Shudder To Think) also plays on all but one of the tracks and co-wrote the opening song. Frequent Flyer sets the mood of the album as it opens with eerie samples, theremin sounds, thuddy drums and Nina's gorgeously bittersweet vocals over an engaging melody. In fact the tunes retain a high standard throughout and the quirky production (though mainstream by Sparklehorse standards) is never less than complementary and interesting. Angel Of Sadness is a stand-out song although I Can Buy You made a first class single.
Although the album consists mostly of original material, a few stray covers shoe-horn their way in - the Replacements' Rock 'n' Roll Ghost; bizarrely, Restless Heart's old US hit The Bluest Eyes In Texas; and Walking The Cow, one of the best known songs of cult singer Daniel Johnston, whose 2003 album Fear Yourself was also produced by Mark Linkous.
A Camp manages the delicate trick of being unmistakably, instantly belonging to Nina Persson whilst at the same time being quite distinct from the Cardigans. May her future projects be as successful
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was never really a fan of 'The Cardigans', so a solo project from its lead singer wasn't something I was expecting to like this much. Sounding at various points like 'Shawn Colvin' or 'The Carpenters' with fistfuls of Beatles melodies it still manages to sound fresh, original and sumptuous. 'Frequent flyer' and 'I can buy you', the opening tracks on the album, set such I high standard you wonder if the rest of the album can continue to be this good. For the most part the answer is yes, although 'A Camp' is at its best when Nina Persson has the confidence to move further away from the sound of 'The Cardigans'. So for anyone who's heard the single 'I can buy you' and wondered if the album is as good (as I did) I'm happy to report that the answer is yes. With bells on. :)
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was dubious about an album that has gained so much critical acclaim (5 stars from the times?) but my fears were uncalled for as this is sheer brilliance. I Can Buy U is as poppy as it gets here with a strong melody and almost country feel but it is not the stand out as the album is so strong as a whole. Elephant tucked away at the end turned out to be a brilliant evocative melodramatic song of lost love, Song for the leftovers is all lush and strings, Algebra is similarly brilliant as is the toned down Silent Night. The one mistake if it can be called that is Oddness of the Lord which is as odd as its title but even this is worth listening to over and over.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not The Cardigans
It's the same old story, singer from a band does a solo project, voice still good but music mostly limp, often just someone strumming along the provide a bit of background. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mr. J. A. Cousins
One to hang onto
Most CDs I buy get pumped into the iPod and then more or less immediately resold on here. I bought this CD back when it was released (in 2001 I think) and I have no intention of... Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2009 by lifeclearout
Almost brilliant
I also hate the artwork for this album. Even the font is horrible! (although thankfully you do get the lyrics, which is always a plus point for me). Read more
Published on 25 May 2009 by M. S. Woodley
A great debut by a great band!
If you are looking for the sweet little blonde thing that sung Lovefool, don't buy this album. If anything, this album is far closer to the more deep sophiscated and dark pieces of... Read more
Published on 24 May 2009
Magical
First of all, yes - the cover is terrible.
Secondly, my goodness - this is a great record. Read more
Secondly, my goodness - this is a great record. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2009 by Peter Lee
Don't judge the album by its cover...
Let's get the criticism out of the way first. This album has one of the worst sleeves I've ever seen. Now for the praise. Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2001 by Mr. M. J. Hulme
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