published: 7 /
10 /
2007
Label:
Letterbox Recordings
Format: CD
Average-sounding indiepop on debut album from Penny Century, who come from Östersund in Sweden
Review
It’s a weird feeling when I from time to time find out about a Swedish indiepop band ,which I have never heard of before, that has been signed by a foreign label. Who are these guys? Sweden is such a small country when it comes to indiepop that I think should have heard of them. But then again, there are probably hundreds of bands, many of them are probably fantastic too, that I don’t know exist, so maybe it isn’t so weird after all.
When I looked in the booklet of their debut album, 'Between a Hundred Lies', I found out that they were from Östersund, the city in the geographic middle of Sweden, and that their lead vocalist is Julia , sister of Martin Hanberg of the great bands Sibiria and Vapnet.
So, I put the round plastic thing in my CD-player and pressed the play button, hoping for a smashing record. Well, with such expectations, I was bound to be a bit disappointed. But with that said, this isn’t a bad album. It’s just… very average. It’s not until the fifth song, 'Sounds Like a Melody ' (no, it’s not a cover of the Alphaville song, sadly) that things start to look really good, but with the next track it is back to square one. And I must admit that I have a hard time coping with Julia’s voice also. It’s a bit TOO good, which can be a very good thing, but it can often a bit tedious when it comes to indiepop.
Track Listing:-
1
Too Bitter To Be Charming
2
Nothing Burns Like Bridges
3
What I Never Learned To Say
4
You, It's Always You
5
Sounds Like A Melody
6
Please Don't Go
7
When The City Is Waking Up
8
Another Day Leaves To Show
9
Between A Hundred Lies
10
Streetlights, Snowflakes And You