Northern Portrait - Napoleon Sweetheart EP
by Anthony Strutt
published: 11 / 10 / 2008

Label:
Matinee Recordings
Format: CDS
intro
Excellent second EP from Danish group Northern Portrait, which carries on the the spirit of early Gene, the Smiths and One Thousand Violins
‘Napoleon Sweetheart’ is the second release from Danish band Northern Portrait and follows on from their ‘Fallen’ aristocracy EP of earlier this year. It features another great 4 songs that carry on the spirit of early Gene, the Smiths and One Thousand Violins. It opens with ‘I Give You Two Seconds to Entertain Me’, which was the second song that Northern Portrait ever recorded, but this is a remix of that original. It has crisp and clean vocals from singer Stefan Larsen and a sharp acoustic guitar sound. It is very much a sing-a-long song, and is guaranteed to bring a smile to the face. ‘Sporting a Scar’ is another song that speaks straight to the heart and has strong guitars to assist.‘In an Empty Hotel’ is basically a rewrite of the Smiths’ ‘The Boy with the Thorn in his Side’, but with different lyrics. ‘Our Lambrusco Days’ is a soul searching number and starts off as an acoustic track, before the rest of the band kick in and add their magic. EP of the year, along with their last one ! My new favourite band of the year.
Track Listing:-
1 I Give You Two Seconds To Entertain Me2 Sporting A Scar
3 In An Empty Hotel
4 Our Lambrusco Days
Label Links:-
http://matineerecordings.com/https://www.facebook.com/matineerecordings
interviews |
Interview (2008) |
![]() |
New indiepop trio Northern Portrait have just released their debut EP, 'The Fallen Aristocracy', on American label Matinee. Anthony Strutt chats to singer Stefan Larsen about it and his band |
reviews |
Criminal Art Lovers (2010) |
![]() |
Fantastic debut album from Smiths-influenced Copenhagen-based trio, Nortthern Portrait |
The Fallen Aristocracy EP (2008) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Roberta Flack - 1937 - 2025
Dave Barbarossa - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart