Boy Omega - Hope on the Horizon

by Benjamin Howarth

published: 28 / 1 / 2008

Label: Glitterhouse Records
Format: CD

Melodic, memorable Americana on second album from Boy Omega, the project of Swedish musician, Martin Henrik Gustaffson, which draws favourable comparisons with Elliott Smith and Bright Eyes

Review

I know almost nothing about Boy Omega, despite the fact that my 'Hope on the Horizon' CD came with two copies of the inlay booklet. However, it seems clear that Glitterhouse - a German label whose ability to pick out good quality Americana has not gone unnoticed in the past - have unearthed a real gem. One thing I can confirm is that the band have been inspired by Elliott Smith and Bright Eyes. I haven’t read this anywhere, but the band’s music makes this fact shamelessly obvious. The songs here sound in turn exactly like one of these two artists. You would assume that such brazenness would result in embarrassing returns. And yet, no. These songs have almost universally depressing themes, but they have all cheered me up. If they had been written by Elliott or Conor they would have been among their best work. Our hero, one Martin Henrik Gustaffson, is well supported by an extended cast of backing musicians and accompanists, and the album is bursting with lovely sweeping string arrangements and the odd dash of sax and trombone. These are great songs, melodic and memorable, and it is obvious why I like them -it is because they sound like two of my absolute favourite artists.

Track Listing:-

1 A Quest For Fire
2 The Blues And The Bee Sting
3 Hard Work
4 Pocket Knife
5 Suffocation Street
6 Looking For You In Me
7 Keep That Flame
8 Tonight I'm Swimming
9 Change Of Plans
10 Good Enough For You
11 The Good Times
12 True Heaven