Something something, then came nothing, nothing, then came s
Snorre Smari Mathiesen | Norway | 11/09/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Kent has a tradition of releasing a single in preparation for their next album, to the delight of us big-time fans. "Ingenting" turned out to become the most popular and, probably, most acclaimed track on their latest album "Tillbaka Till Samtiden," something which the band might have sensed on beforehand, as that song was chosen as title track on this first single.
The song is very good by all means, superbly executed with raspy and energic vocal. The message of the song is, for Kent, uncharacteristically obvious, as Joakim Berg exclaims (in Swedish): "In Hagnesta Hill shines the TV light [...] The commercials interrupted by sport [...] Those bastards took us / one after one / They lied and cheated us / with the truth [...] Nothing, nothing / then came nothing..." The text is, or can easily be interpreted as, a criticism on television and its impact on us, how we refuse to do something with our lives because it is, just admit it, so much more comfortable to turn on the tube. Even though I spend much time in front of the computer (trying to give you helpful reviews, among other things), I've ever since childhood felt fear for machinery and am convinced that they'll make us cynical if we don't use them with modesty. I've written many songs about this topic myself, hence the lyrics came off as a pleasant surprise to me. However, from a mere musical standpoint, "Ingenting" has not remained one of my favorites; in fact, I think it is the track on "TTS" that I listen to the least. I like it, just don't prefer it. The song probably fits in best on this single, as it seems more in context on its own. Again, this is just my opinion.
Unfortunately, "Ingenting" is not quite left on its own. What comes next are three techno-remixes of the song, done by respectively Alex Dolby And Santos, Schieldster, and Copyfokking. You never heard of those guys? Well, I don't blame you. Now, don't think that I'm a total idiot; I've got brains enough to understand that such remixes are SUPPOSED to be repetitive, suitable for a party at the disco rather than in your own living room. But such stuff, my friends, you can find elsewhere. I've tried to listen to these remixes on various occasions, but they do absolutely nothing to me ("nothing, nothing, then came nothing..."). Well, I do like the guitar-intro on the fourth track which lasts half a minute. Congratulations.
However, be brave. Once the three duds are over, we are presented with a little gift which persuaded me to buy this single in the first place: a unique song (that is, not available on the main album) from the original Kent themselves. "Min Värld" feels like more criticism of present-day society, a theme which on the whole seems to be the lasting subject of "Tillbaka Till Samtiden" - "Back To Contemporary." The song is very synth-toned, quite uncharacteristic for Kent. I know some fans had a hard time swallowing this, but I think it's a swell effort; bitter and prophetic, frustrated and pessimistic. You don't want to listen to such things every day, but when you do I can think of few better alternatives.
Despite the disappointment in the remixes, I recommend the single "Ingenting" to all fans of Kent. To me, "Min Värld" is worth the price alone."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1