- Audio CD (3 Dec 2008)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Original recording remastered, SHM-CD, Import
- Label: Universal Japan
- ASIN: B001GM7GOY
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
Jubilee Offer: Patriot Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Carnival - The Cardigans, |
| 2. Daddy's Car |
| 3. Fine |
| 4. Rise and Shine - The Cardigans, |
| 5. Our Space - The Cardigans, |
| 6. Celia Inside |
| 7. Over the Water |
| 8. Tomorrow - Sven Andersson, The Cardigans, , |
| 9. Sick and Tired - The Cardigans, Anders Nordgren |
| 10. Beautiful One - Ivan Bakran, The Cardigans |
| 11. Gordon's Gardenparty - The Cardigans, Anders Nordgren |
| 12. Hey! Get Out of My Way |
| 13. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath |
| 14. Happy Meal [*] |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Statistics are a baffling thing. They tell us that Sweden enjoys Europe's highest standard of living and its highest suicide rate. Statistics also tell us that The Cardigans are the country's most successful musical export since Abba. This actually makes perfect sense, for the quintet's music is an uncannily accurate microcosm of the country that spawned it--deliciously breezy pop melodies lent just enough bite by Nina Persson's fatalistic vocals. It's a recipe they perfected with unnerving confidence on Life, which exhibits an instinctive familiarity with the pantheon of timeless pop. Burt Bacharach's shadow looms unmistakably over the pensive autumnal strains of "Celia Inside" and "Tomorrow", whilst fragrant indie-pop nuggets such as "Rise And Shine" and "Gordon's Gardenparty" suggest that guitarist/songwriter Peter Svensson spent more than the occasional evening learning his craft from old Smiths records. It is, of course, impossible to discuss intuitive 90s female-fronted pop acts without mentioning Saint Etienne. The appreciation, in this case, is mutual; so impressed were the Etienne with the airy pristine sound of Life, that they were inspired to record 1997's Good Humor in the same Malmo studios. --Peter Paphides
From Amazon.com
These days it's getting harder to tell the real pop twerps from the hip parodists--both of whom make music sweeter and more dizzying than cherry wine. Take Sweden's Cardigans, for example: On one hand, they work the same delicious Bacharach lounge jazz and gooey '60s girl swoons as Pizzicato Five, a group whose retrokitsch is delivered with a big, fake-eyelashed wink. On the other hand, the Cardigans come from a land that gave us Abba and Ace of Base, sincere pop legends if ever there were. The Cardigans, it seems, could go either way, and their subtle blend of pop-for-pop's-sake with pop-for-joke's-sake makes their first American release, Life, all the more a modernist gem.
There's no use digging below the surface of Life's amazingly catchy opening quartet of tunes. All the joy to be extracted lies right on the surface: "Carnival"'s loopy organ and punchy beat is all cotton candy and merry-go-rounds; "Daddy's Car" is a fun-fun-fun ride to the up-up-and-away; "Fine" soars heavenward while "Rise & Shine" is mile-a-minute perk-me-up. From there, though, "Our Space" ventures deeper, into darker and moodier atmospherics and a trip-hoppy electronic shuffle. Singer Nina Persson's crystalline lullaby voice keeps it all sounding innocent as hell, but when she sinks her candy-coated teeth into a Black Sabbath cover ("Sabbath Bloody Sabbath") she exposes a few sinister cavities. By the time she closes the album, exulting "No one can be happier than me!" the effect is eerie enough for David Lynch. With Life, the Cardigans give us pop till it hurts. --Roni Sarig
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a classic example of intelligent, thoughtful pop music. Each track on this CD is beautifully crafted, the arrangements owing much to Bacharach and David as they do to Blondie. This album captures the Cardigans prior to their current Black Sabbath fixation (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is included in all its' lounge-pop glory), and every tune, even the songs dealing with breaking up, is relentlessly feelgood. I have never been able to listen to this album without grinning like an idiot - it sweeps you up with the catchy choruses. Sick and Tired and Hey! Get Out Of My Way! are the standout tunes, but there is nothing on this album that I would change. I have owned this album for three years, and never tired of it. It's a bargain. Go on, take the gamble.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The UK version omits 4 tracks and includes tracks from their debut album 'Emmerdale' mixed into the tracklisting, so it's a completely different album really. The proper version of 'Life' is as follows:
1) Carnival
2) Gordon's Gardenparty
3) Daddy's Car
4) Pikebubbles
5) Tomorrow
6) Beautiful One
7) Travelling with Charley
8) Fine
9) Sunday Circus Song
10) Hey! Get Out of My Way
11) Closing Time
1) Carnival
2) Gordon's Gardenparty
3) Daddy's Car
4) Pikebubbles
5) Tomorrow
6) Beautiful One
7) Travelling with Charley
8) Fine
9) Sunday Circus Song
10) Hey! Get Out of My Way
11) Closing Time
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Life is a collection of uplifting and upbeat lounge pop classics, all of which will have your fingers tapping at the car steering wheel and which will bring a ray of sunshine into your day, even if the lyrics alone wouldn't. Nina Persson's soothingly sickly voice caresses each lyric in an almost French and fairgroundesque manner. No other album fulfils the requirement of a refreshing, catchy, yet serious piece of music, which is why I recommend that ALL should have it in their collection. Before that stress frizzes you out, get a smile on your face.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
great pop
I came across this album in Oxfam and knowing and liking their big hit love fool I thought I'd give it a try and wasn't at all disappointed. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. Robert Marsland
Classic
In my opinion this is their best album! Better than their, later, more rock-orientated material. Superbly crafted jazzy pop!
Published on 1 Nov 2004 by Monster Munch
An excellent all round album.
This album is a natural progression from Emmerdale, although the UK version of Emmerdale has some common tracks shared with this album. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2000
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
