Azure Blue - Rule of Thirds

  by Dixie Ernill

published: 27 / 2 / 2012

---

Anyone who covers a Grant McLennan (of the Go-Betweens fame) song is going to earn bonus points from me and the fact that Tobias Isaksson, the mastermind behind Azure Blue, makes such a fine job of it as the wonderful opener to his new project's debut LP ensures a favourable ear from the outset. As good as his version of 'Fingers'is, it is not the outstanding cut on this nine track album, as he proves himself to be, having already made waves beyond his native Sweden in two previous bands, Irene and Laurel Music an accomplished songwriter in his own right. Musically Azure Blue is very reminiscent of early 1990's Sarah band Blueboy and in particular their excellent 'Unisex' album, but also has a knowing nod towards fellow Scandinavian label mates Cats On Fire. Indeed there is also a hint of A-Ha on 'Long Way Down' as Isaksson weaves a delicate tapestry of electronic music round his semi-crooner type voice that even has the slightest of Morrissey-style inflections. The two singles from the LP, 'The Catcher in the Rye' and 'Little Confusion', are solid dreamy indie-pop songs with only the sometimes too obvious lyrics offering a slight detraction, but it is almost like heaping scorn on your kid brother's crayola drawings to find fault when they are written in someone's second language. The mid-album couplet of 'Dreamy Eyes' and "The Shore' are probably the standout tracks, but in truth there isn't a weak moment to be found. The only criticism that could be levelled is that 'Rule of Thirds' is not a ground-breaking musical adventure, but that suits me fine as the indie-pop template is always a brilliant starting point.

Track Listing:-

1 Fingers
2 The Catcher in the Rye
3 Seasons
4 Little Confusions
5 Long Way Down
6 Dreamy Eyes
7 The Shore
8 Two Hearts
9 Chesil Beach

Band Links:-

https://twitter.com/azureblueswe
http://azureblue.se/
https://www.facebook.com/azurebluesuedeshoes

Label Links:-

http://matineerecordings.com/
https://www.facebook.com/matineerecordings

Post A Comment

---

Comment

Name

your name

Location

ie London, UK

Submit

Check box to submit

Adam Coxon
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson

Dixie Ernill
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart

Malcolm Carter
Marie Hazelwood
Mark Rowland
Nick Dent-Robinson
Nicky Crewe
Nige Nudds
Philamonjaro
Richard Lewis
Shirley Procter
Spencer Robertshaw
Steev Burgess
Steve Kinrade

Steve Miles
Tommy Gunnarsson
Zena Grieg