Until now, the Swedish group the Cardigans were easily identified by their sunny, pop-friendly, melodic releases. Fearing being typecast as an act fluffier than a Nordic lamb, the band decided to head farther north for the... more » winter. With Gran Turismo, their fifth release, you'll need your favorite, um, sweater, because the season has turned, the atmosphere is frosty, and, indeed, the nights are long and dark. Gran Turismo is a trip-hop album following the lead of grim meisters Portishead. The CD is punctuated with distorted, muted, uncomplicated guitar riffs and keyboard effects that often sound like a harpsichord played through a fuzz box. Nina Persson's slightly aching, sleepy little cutesy lead vocals sound as frictionless as rubbing two ice cubes together. Although the skies are grayer here, the one familiar musical element is their simple yet compelling rhythm structures, as evidenced in their jazz-informed drum patterns. If the Cardigans weren't competent musicians, this album would come across as nothing more than a career-sustaining maneuver. But with this solid, dark, and intriguing release, they've clearly demonstrated their ability to compose great songs, no matter what the weather. --Beth Bessmer« less
Until now, the Swedish group the Cardigans were easily identified by their sunny, pop-friendly, melodic releases. Fearing being typecast as an act fluffier than a Nordic lamb, the band decided to head farther north for the winter. With Gran Turismo, their fifth release, you'll need your favorite, um, sweater, because the season has turned, the atmosphere is frosty, and, indeed, the nights are long and dark. Gran Turismo is a trip-hop album following the lead of grim meisters Portishead. The CD is punctuated with distorted, muted, uncomplicated guitar riffs and keyboard effects that often sound like a harpsichord played through a fuzz box. Nina Persson's slightly aching, sleepy little cutesy lead vocals sound as frictionless as rubbing two ice cubes together. Although the skies are grayer here, the one familiar musical element is their simple yet compelling rhythm structures, as evidenced in their jazz-informed drum patterns. If the Cardigans weren't competent musicians, this album would come across as nothing more than a career-sustaining maneuver. But with this solid, dark, and intriguing release, they've clearly demonstrated their ability to compose great songs, no matter what the weather. --Beth Bessmer
The Cardigans Take a Great Turn Towards Heavier Music
Derek | USA | 01/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Gran Turismo is sheer brilliance. Very few bands can completely change their sound within 5 years, and sound great all the way through.This album is an amalgamation of all the deep, dark undercurrents running through the Cardigan's previous albums, sliding into it's greatest glumness during the morose, depressing "Marvel Hill" in which Nina Persson covertly explains that nothing in life is worth trying for because there will always be something better to achieve.I won't lie to you; pretty much all of the lyrics on this album are just plain miserable in feel. But that doesn't limit the Cardigans to some of the routine "angry yelling" or "chord mashing" cliches of other alternative rock bands today.Instead of screaming, they wail, and every melodic chord, every trippy drum-beat conveys a different emotion. The music works best in a dark room, with headphones on your ears, playing the music throughout your skull...I'm telling you, it's an amazing experience.I was impressed by this definitive work of The Cardigans. It is most certainly worth your time and money."
Grow Up With Nina...
C. D. Waage | Denver, Colorado | 08/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Nina has me feeling as if we were all growing up with her. In the beginning with "Life" we heard her in a youthful teenage phase of infatuation and carefree lifestyle. In "Gran Tourismo" Nina and her band make us feel the angst of the late 20s and early 30s. Her dissolusion with socitey and it's norms come clear. Now with "Long Gone Before Daylight" we feel as if she's now post-cynical in middle age, come to accept the stuff she can't change, with regrets and old memories. We can hear her baggage and lost loves in her voice. If you're like me you'll never forget her voice."
One of my "Desert Island" discs
Kara Welch | USA | 05/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was quite a shock for a Cardigans fan who starting listening to them when First Band on the Moon came out. After listening to Life and FBOTM over and over again, I was not expecting the Cards to go electronic. But I have to say, I'm glad they did. They more or less abandoned their original 60's sound; the only song on here that sounds like their earlier work is "Junk of the Hearts". The Cardigans have the same uncanny grace that bands like Saint Etienne have, able to switch sounds completely between albums and yet still sound like they've been playing this way forever.
"Paralyzed" is a great opening tune, I love the lyrics. "Explode", "Erase/Rewind", and "Hanging Around" are also oustanding tracks. My favorites would have to be "My Favourite Game" and "Do You Believe".
I haven't heard Long Gone Before Daylight very often and I have yet to hear their new one (who knows when it will be released in the US), but I can safely say that I will listen to whatever music they want to put out. Because chances are, it will be fantastic!"
A different, yet delightful Cardi's sound
Liesl Calado | Mountain View, CA | 11/24/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you're expecting the same bubble-gum sound that made the previous Cardigans albums so wonderful, you'll be disappointed with 'Gran Turismo' - at first. Give this album a chance and you'll be spellbound by these deliciously dark dance tunes. The Cardigans once again deliver with humm-able, stuck-in-your-head melodies, but with a completely new edge. 'Gran Turismo' proves that as this talented band continues to stretch their boundaries and grow artistically, the outcome will consistently be wonderful. This album *always* makes me want to get up and dance! It is such a favorite, my husband and I regularly fight over who gets to take it to work!"
Industrial Strength European Blues
Liesl Calado | 11/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I first got this, i was like "What the heck? " and was dissappointed, but i had to give it a second and third listen. Then its like it just grew on me, dark, morbid, depressing introspective music. Industrial Strength Viking Inflected European Blues."