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Product Description
Review
When A Camp's understated debut album emerged in 2001, it was inevitably overshadowed by Nina Persson's day job as frontwoman for the globally successful Cardigans. But with that band's commercial star dimmed and their very future in doubt, this wintery, sixties-soaked second record seems less side dish and more main course. As such it's tart, sweet and satisfying.
Colonia was produced by Persson with her film composer husband and it shows, with her piercing vocals framed by lusciously atmospheric arrangements. Take the opening The Crowning, a waltzing, twinkling lament that packs a lyrical punch (as with fellow Swede Jens Lekman, Persson is vastly more adept with English than most homegrown indie plodders). Or hear how Persson's voice floats hauntingly over music box whirring on Bear On The Beach.
Stronger Than Jesus is as good, built from the kind of melancholy guitar line, weaving central melody and celestial harmonies that McAlmont and Butler perfected on their two unjustly neglected albums. Love Has Left The Room and I Signed The Line are similarly direct, and as melodically and emotionally rich as the Cardigans at their loveliest, while the heavily orchestrated To Be Human is effortlessly affecting.
The only real criticism of Colonia is that the frosty, wistful mood can veer towards saminess, although when A Camp experiment on Here Are Many Wild Animals, the results are mixed. This song has a ravishing, energised chorus, but is marred by kitschy vocal effects and handclaps, the sole remnant of Persson's recent Adam Ant obsession. As for the ambient instrumental Eau De Colonia, it's both inoffensive and inessential.
But these are minor gripes, and the overwhelming impact of Colonia is of a singer and songwriter in total command of her powers. Perhaps the return of The Cardigans isn't as desirable as it once seemed. --Jaime Gill
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was growing increasingly impatient for a new Cardigans album. It's been a while, but listening to the second A Camp release leaves me wondering just what Nina Persson considers to be her side project nowadays. Colonia is one of those albums in which you discover a new favourite track as each song passes by. It's an impressively complete suite that flows perfectly with barely any concessions to filler.
Nina's voice continues to improve with age and the production will suit those drawn to the Cardigans' later efforts. Soft rock with a dark underbelly sits next to some great pop and soul. It's a shame that Colonia will be largely ignored and Nina forever remembered for LoveFool and My Favourite Game. Unless, that is, we the consumers don't allow it to be that way.
Over the years Nina has transformed into one of pop's most understated but cunning lyricists. In the album's first single, Stronger That Jesus, we're presented with love as a series of violent images. Love is 'poison in a bonbon', it can 'do you like a shotgun'. The punultimate track, It's Not Easy To Be Human, could come straight from the journals of Morrissey.
So on Nina's current form, a new Cardigans album, while welcome, is something that's a whole lot easier to wait for. Nope, instead I now find myself waiting as equally impatiently for the third A Camp LP.
Nina's voice continues to improve with age and the production will suit those drawn to the Cardigans' later efforts. Soft rock with a dark underbelly sits next to some great pop and soul. It's a shame that Colonia will be largely ignored and Nina forever remembered for LoveFool and My Favourite Game. Unless, that is, we the consumers don't allow it to be that way.
Over the years Nina has transformed into one of pop's most understated but cunning lyricists. In the album's first single, Stronger That Jesus, we're presented with love as a series of violent images. Love is 'poison in a bonbon', it can 'do you like a shotgun'. The punultimate track, It's Not Easy To Be Human, could come straight from the journals of Morrissey.
So on Nina's current form, a new Cardigans album, while welcome, is something that's a whole lot easier to wait for. Nope, instead I now find myself waiting as equally impatiently for the third A Camp LP.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Could this be the best album of 2009 already?
The first album by A Camp was a bit of a neglected classic, an album which popped up and disappeared almost without a trace, but is well worth seeking out. It doesn't really compare to "Colonia" though, as while the debut had some frankly weird and experimental tracks such as "The Oddness Of The Lord", "Colonia" is just gorgeous from start to finish.
Seek out the video to "Stronger Than Jesus" online and if you enjoy that you'll doubtless enjoy the rest, although that particular song is more poppy than many of the other tracks here. If compared to the albums of Nina's other band The Cardigans, "Colonia" is most like the fantastic "Long Gone Before Daylight", such is its sustained beauty and mood.
At first listen, "Colonia" is a wonderful album, and I'm already doubting that anything will better this in 2009. A gem.
The first album by A Camp was a bit of a neglected classic, an album which popped up and disappeared almost without a trace, but is well worth seeking out. It doesn't really compare to "Colonia" though, as while the debut had some frankly weird and experimental tracks such as "The Oddness Of The Lord", "Colonia" is just gorgeous from start to finish.
Seek out the video to "Stronger Than Jesus" online and if you enjoy that you'll doubtless enjoy the rest, although that particular song is more poppy than many of the other tracks here. If compared to the albums of Nina's other band The Cardigans, "Colonia" is most like the fantastic "Long Gone Before Daylight", such is its sustained beauty and mood.
At first listen, "Colonia" is a wonderful album, and I'm already doubting that anything will better this in 2009. A gem.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
My mate kept banging on about this album, to shut him up I gave it a listen even though I was no big fan of the cardigans.
Well, this is a collection of varied melodious well crafted pop songs. Immaculate production. I won't tell my mate though, he's smug enough!
Well worth buying.
Well, this is a collection of varied melodious well crafted pop songs. Immaculate production. I won't tell my mate though, he's smug enough!
Well worth buying.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Leicester Bangs Review (2009):
A Camp - Colonia (Reveal)
The long-awaited follow-up to their 2001 self-titled debut, A Camp - led by Cardigans frontwoman, Nina Persson with friend and countryman Niclas... Read more
The long-awaited follow-up to their 2001 self-titled debut, A Camp - led by Cardigans frontwoman, Nina Persson with friend and countryman Niclas... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Leicester Bangs
Still not The Cardigans
I wonder whether A Camp were brought up on vinyl, where, taking advantage of the two sides, an album often has too quite distinct halves. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mr. J. A. Cousins
A Camp - Colonia Album
I ordered this product at a very busy time just prior to Xmas and it arrived very promptly. Excellent service from Amazon.Colonia
Published on 19 Jan 2010 by Mr. A. Ritson
A Swedish Bit On The Side
It seems to be turning into a bit of a Swedish weekend.
You know how it is. You can stand waiting for a Number 8
bus for half-an-hour or more and then three come... Read more
You know how it is. You can stand waiting for a Number 8
bus for half-an-hour or more and then three come... Read more
Published on 8 Aug 2009 by The Wolf
Should do better
Most of the 25-30 age group that grew up as indie-pop did - that seemingly bygone age when Glastonbury witnessed sunshine, when everyone was mildly optimistic about the future,... Read more
Published on 28 April 2009 by Mr. Gideon D. Brody
Colonia Review
A welcome return and worth the wait. Nina's voice sounds as fresh as on the earlier Cardigans recordings, and the sound is reassuringly easy with not a weak track on the album.
Published on 7 April 2009 by John Longley
Languour management
I may not be growing up as quickly as Nina and Nate would wish, but admire them for stretching their audience and themselves with every new work. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by A. Smith
So worth the wait....
Well here it is the long awaited follow up to A CAMP, the stunning debut by the band of the same name. Read more
Published on 25 Jan 2009 by Mike H
Best Album Yet.. Colonia is a gem.
Cardigans singer and band, inhabit a strange world of magical realism, vintage New York and ABBA, making COLONIA her best album yet. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2009 by T. Rose
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