Majestic pop music. Unsurpassed songs and arrangements.
D. Mok | Los Angeles, CA | 08/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The best album of 2002 finally gets a release stateside! I already own this record as a Japanese import, and it's never left my active playlist, ranking alongside Taste of Joy's Trigger Fables as one of the top five records in my collection.Swedish band Pineforest Crunch had already released the gorgeous Shangri-La (also known as Water Garden) in the late '90s, which was a quantum leap from the band's charming, whimsical 1996 debut Make Believe. Shangri-La sounded like a career-best masterpiece, but Panamarenko tops it, incredibly, by upping the energy and turning to even more eccentric instruments than usual.The musicians are virtuosic: Mattias Olsson's agile and flavourful drumming propels each track, locking in tight with bassist Mats Lundgren; guitarists Olle Soderstrom and Jonas Pettersson go from chiming Big Star tones to grinding riffs with equal ease; and singer Asa Eklund has perfected her vocal technique, using her high, demure voice to sing some of the loveliest melodies in pop music, while chipping in on weird instruments such as stylophone and organ. Her trademark flute doesn't make an appearance on this record, but her singing is the finest it's ever been.The songwriting on this record is exemplary. The heartbreaking "Innocent" is my favourite, with its aching lyrics, fluid guitar lines and sublime harmonized chorus; "Slowly", despite its title, is an aggressive and dark rocker with an unforgettably strange guitar sound and rumbling bass; "College Radio Listeners" sounds like an instant car-radio classic, all strummy acoustic guitars and soaring vocals but dropping to a sexy whisper in the middle; and "Car Crash"'s flowing melodies will stay in your head for days. The band also experiments with ambitious arrangements: "Romantic Strings" sounds like a Casio keyboard demo with vocals, "Wake Up" distorts Eklund's lead vocal to an oddly fitting, muffled squeak; and "Coronation" sets machine-like beats (Olsson is also a whiz on synthesized drum pads) against a mighty chorus and one of Eklund's gutsiest lead vocals.Simply put, this is a record that belongs in every music library. Snap it up, and also look for the EP for "Innocent", which contains the cynical yet sexy B-side "Happiness and Freedom". This album is one in a million."
"Uncover the windows.. let the light shine in.."
spiral_mind | Pennsylvania | 07/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Somewhere in the Swedish mountains lies a secret laboratory dedicated to a curious form of songwriting alchemy. The participants are dedicated to the highest form of modern pop-craft: testing melodies, blending non-standard instruments and concocting a pure alloy of ultra-tasty ear-candy sweetness, uncontaminated by monotony or cliche. The result is a marvel - a brand of addicting pop almost too yummy for words. Even with a darker turn or two ("Car Crash" is a portrait of fatalistic apathy, "Slowly" is a hurt sticks-and-stones lament, the vague "Happy Valentine" is possibly about prison and murder), the overall feeling it gives is still one of giddy sugary happiness. Whether it's with sunny strumming guitars, irresistibly bubbly vocal lines, sinuous electronic beats or soft sexy rays of sunshine, these songs refuse to stay downbeat for very long.
The writing is easily strong enough to withstand dozens and dozens of listenings - which is the bare minimum you'll want to give it after these oh-so-sweet hooks stick in your head anyway - and Asa Eklund's is one of the most angelic voices I've ever heard. All kinds of organs and synths are sprinkled around to give some extra flavor, but that's far from the only reason Pineforest Crunch sounds unlike any other pop band I've ever heard. It's everything.. from their superb skill at gorgeous flowing melodies and heart-tugging atmospheres, to the masterful way they cover a remarkable stylistic range and never seem awkward, to their subtle-yet-impeccable level of musicianship.. everything about them sets them apart from the crowd.
My meager skill with words is hopeless for really conveying the sheer bliss of Panamarenko. So yeah, um, well, go buy it and you'll be really happy you did. Then go back for their first two albums and you'll be even happier."
"we are free, we are loved, damn you who say we're not."
Lord Chimp | Monkey World | 01/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I came across Pineforest Crunch because of their affiliation with Anglagard (the drummer for PC, Mattias Olsson, plays with Anglagard and also performed on the second and third White Willow albums; vocalist Asa Eklund worked with Anglagard too -- if you listen closely, you can hear her sweet wordless voice on their album _Epilog_, and she sings the White Willow song "Thirteen Days").Given my previous review, this is redundant information. But I want to write a good review because Pineforest Crunch's _Panamarenko_ is an utterly delightful Swedish pop treasure. If "Swedish pop" makes you think of the Cardigans, purge your mind. This is eminently more listenable, enduring, and rife with delicious songcraft than most of the bands on the mainstream "Swedish pop" radar. Just thought I should say that. (Although maybe it is worth mentioning that PC's first album, _Make Believe_, was a runaway hit of sorts in Sweden, selling around 100,000 copies.)Anyway, the music of Pineforest Crunch is outstanding. The band's songcraft, vocal melodies, arrangements, and performances know few peers in pop music. The band has an incredible sense of texture and they use many varied instruments (including Mattias Olsson's old-school collection of synthesizer artifacts like orchestron, mini-moog, and mellotron). Asa Eklund's voice is sweet, seductive, tastefully breathy, beautiful, distinctive (love the accent), and she endearingly delivers the band's masterful hooks. The production perfectly complements the music, subtle and restrained but also clear, robust, and polished. Also, the music is highly diverse and every song is excellent. The album gives you twinkling acoustic, string-tinged ballad (with feisty piano solo!) "Wake Up", spectacular guitar power pop like "Situation Endless" and the enchanting anthem "College Radio Listeners", and the quirky, jangling verses & lush, Moog-backed chorus of "Leave It All Behind". The mellotron-rich "Romantic Strings" sounds almost like a proto-symphonic-prog ballad but with far more innocence and charm than the gigantism of archetypal symph-prog. "Coronation" smoothly dances on a deft drum beat with electronics, subtle synths, and acoustic guitars filling out a beautiful array of texture. "Innocent" is a stunning, driving beauty with acoustic guitars scintillating around silky electric guitars riffs, and one of the most listenably melancholy pop choruses ever. I wont describe every song, but trust me, they are all amazing. And Mattias Olsson, in addition to being one of the most rhythmically vigorous, tasteful, and imaginative drummers in progressive rock, is one of the best percussionists in pop music too, whether he's behind the kit or programming his drum machines.Highly recommended! And if you are some kind of prog elitist who scoffs at pop music, you suck and you're missing out on something truly wonderful. It's more addicting than crack."
I never thought pop music could be SOO good!
Axel Law | Derby, KS, USA | 08/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lately, I had been slacking when it comes to getting any new music (although I plan on some more Dream Theater CDs soon...), and felt the need to actually listen to something new, something interesting. So one of my buddies decides to get some new CDs and among those CDs, I heard this awesome CD that I never thought I'd find myself enjoying. Normally, I steer clear of pop music because of its over-saturated mentality and insipid lyrics. But in the case of Pineforest Crunch, they've taken all the qualities that make up a pop album like catchy hooks, catchy lyrics, and simplistic songwriting, and yet still churn out quality music. To that awesome buddy of mine that got this CD, THANKS.
And when listening to it front to back, I felt the same way when I heard Dream Theater's "Images and Words," Iron Maiden's "Somewhere in Time," and Andromeda's "Extension of the Wish"; although mostly different from each other (although with progressive style songwriting), the albums got better and better with each listen. The same is said of Pineforest Crunch's "Panamarenko."
The album kicks off with Situation Endless, an acoustic number with one of the most infectious verses/choruses I've EVOR heard. This WILL stick in your head, and that's THE LAW! I don't know the names of these bandmembers, but this female singer is VERY good. Queen of the 90's follows it, and it's a more entrancing track. With some interesting use of keyboards, this one takes on a midpaced tone, and I'm in a trance every time I hear it; while it doesn't sound very much like Pink Floyd at all, it takes on that same enchanting feeling that that band usually possesses. College Radio Listeners is the third track, and this one is an upbeat number with some good interplay between the vocalist and the guitarist (and it also stabs at college radio in general, which is funny and yet they are very correct in what they say). Definitely one of my top favorites on here. The fourth track and my personal favorite, Slowly, is much darker from anything else on the CD (although Car Crash comes close). This particular track really gets to me, and I couldn't begin to tell you why. Even with its subtle melancholy structure, it's very emotional. The next track, Wake Up, is slightly more upbeat and has a nice piano piece that goes along with the vocals. It also makes great use of the acoustic guitars. Innocent is faster paced and definitely infectious as well. Romantic Strings (appropriately named) is very orchestral in structure, and is especially good with the duets dominating the piece. Car Crash is the second most melancholy track on here, and also one of the poppiest. Definitely my second favorite song from the album. Coronation is hard to describe; it still maintains the pop sensibilities, but at times it sounds vaguely like Nine Inch Nails or any other electronic band, while at other moments (especially towards the middle-to-end parts) it takes on a retro vibe, much like the band Yes (the 80s Yes). Leave It All Behind is an upbeat tune with one of the catchiest bridges and choruses on the disc. This one, in particular, sounds like it could easily go on a show like "Gilmore Girls" or "Dawson's Creek" (y'know, those teen shows where they have a lot of contemporary pop music in them?) and yet is BETTER than any songs on those shows. The album closes with a lovely track called Happy Valentine which is short and sweet, clocking in just under three minutes (it almost sounds like a lullaby!).
Overall, this album turned out to be a very pleasant surprise for me. This Swedish band have the perfect combination of instruments and songwriting and have taken all the great elements of pop music and yet have discarded the genre's dark side. I NEVER, EVOR would have thought that I'd enjoy music like this, but I was proven wrong! While they use slight influences that I've mentioned above, they are still unique Pineforest Crunch. THE LAW approves of this album, and orders that you give a listen NOW!"
Can it really be? Yes it is! GOOD POP MUSIC!
M. B. Link | USA | 07/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Panamarenko(2001). Pineforest Crunch's third studio album.
I have no idea how I first heard or became interested in it, but I just recently found an album that started off good from the first listen and got better and better with each time I returned to it. An album that no matter how many times I listened to it, I kept wanting to come back for more. An album where the songwriters truly understand the meaning of innovatively simple song composition where delightful melodies, catchy hooks, subtle intricacies, and clever instrumentation usage take centerstage. An album with a quality production job. An album with a talented drummer, guitarist, and bass guitarist who know exactly which notes sound right for the song. An album with a voice so heavenly tender and innocent that it could tame even the angriest beast in an instant. An album where each song brings a different feel, style, and sound to it. An album that may give you hope yet in a genre that's generally associated with cliche rhythms, melodies, and lyrical topics, NONE of which this album contains.
Alright, I haven't been specific at all yet. I could be talking about anything. But in this special case, I'm talking about a wonderful little unknown Swedish pop album called Panamarenko by Pineforest Crunch.
If you normally associate the words "pop music" with the mindless corporate MTV moniker, meaningless celebrity gossip, and fashion styles, then drop those notions here. This is REAL pop music. Composed of vocalist/random instrumental player Asa Eklund, guitarist Ole Soderstrom, bassist Mats Lundgren, and drummer Mattias Olsson (also in a prog band called Anglagard, though I've never heard them), Pineforest Crunch manages to deliver a quality platter of varying degrees of positive, fun, and simple songs that suit as both catchy ditties for the short attention span as well as hidden and inventive musical arrangements for those who listen closely to the music. The bandmembers are very talented, yet restrained a bit in order to concentrate on songwriting composition first and foremost. And Asa Eklund... wow. I've heard lots of lovely talented female vocalists fronting bands, but Asa is special in the fact that the combination of her charming accent and angelic, yet almost shy presence fuses together perfectly. She carries the music with such ellegance that you have to wonder how someone like this could NOT get noticed by the public.
Generally sounding like alternative pop at first glance, further inspection reveals that there is plenty of substance to be found in all of these 3-4 minute songs, both lyrically and musically. In addition to the usual drums, accoustic guitar, and bass, there are also some synths, piano, mellatrons, organs, mini-moog, and other various instruments played throughout the album helping to give the songs their dynamic edge.
Now to the songs. The opener 'Situation Endless' starts off melodically and evolves into a pulse-pounding number with an awesomely catchy sub-chorus and chorus, plus a nice integration of piano and drums later on. 'Queen Of The 90s' as many have said, is carried along by a solid mellatron melody which melds well with Asa's voice. Then there's the happy sounding 'College Radio Listeners' which is a clever song lyrically as well as sporting a stellar songstructure throughout. It's definitely one of the best ones on here. While most of the songs have a really positive feel, 'Slowly', 'Innocent', and 'Car Crash' sound melancholic in many ways, though still maintaining the solid musicianship and giant hooks. There's something for everyone on here. 'Coronation' has a little more of an electronic sheen to it, and the calm 'Happy Valentine' ends the album on a very high note. 'Romantic Strings' is very noteworthy because Ole puts down the guitar to sing in a duet with Asa over a dominating mellatron melody. Very dreamy. Everyone has their own favorite track it seems like, and mine would have to be 'Wake Up', one of the more relaxing tracks on here. Yet that chorus... it amazes me everytime I hear it, as well as pretty much the entire song.
Replayability: High. It's a pop album, and it's actually a great one nonetheless. That speaks for itself.
All in all, Panamarenko proved to be a solid musical discovery for me, and it would undoubtedly be the same for anyone else who'd give them a chance. It was a grand introduction to one of the world's most overlooked and talented group of songwriters. Plus, it gave me hope that there is such a thing as a good pop band, something I never thought I'd say. It pains me to see that crappy pop acts like Britney Spears, Ashlee Simpson, Linkin Park (YES, they ARE in fact pop), Backstreet Boys, and other countless drivel are massively popular and give their genre a bad name, and yet go figure, just like all good music it seems like, Pineforest Crunch gets the shaft and will likely never be heard by most people (Though I guess they were pretty popular in Sweden and Japan). I was even more pleased to find out that PC has 2 other albums, both of which I must hear sometime soon if this album is any indication. I wish I could name off some other bands that they are related to, but since I can't, I'll just say that if you're a fan of good music, then you should enjoy this. This is an album for people who know good music outside of the radio who want something simple, yet catchy, positive, fun, dreamy, inventive, and soothing all in one. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Just one question: Are they still around? It's been 4 years since this album was released, and I'm just wondering..."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1