Search - Cobolt :: Spirit on Parole

Far from Refused but damn good

06/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got this record because I heard it was ex-members of Refused (amazing Swedish hardcore band who did their last record on EPITAPH records).I was expecting much of the intense hardcore that Refused played, however, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was more in the vein of the Red House Painters!Cobolt's sound is a very melancholy and hauntingly beautiful rock. The vocals are very sedated and very powerful in a melancholy sort of way. I totally dig both ends of the spectrum...hardcore to slowcore...this is definitely one of the best slowcore records to come out in the last 10 years. I found a review of the record on drawerb.com that gives a pretty good gist of the record:Cobolt may feature members of the defunct Swedish band the Refused, but these sprawling, melancholic tracks are a far cry from the Refused's bracing assault. Clean, intricate and jangly guitars weave around loose rhythms and ghostly keyboards to dramatic effect on this follow up to Eleven Story Soul. Vocalist Magnus Bjorklund avoids former bandmate Dennis Lyxsen's manic screech in favor of a strained and vulnerable inflection. Cobolt utilizes a dynamic that blends lethargic tempos with subtle but effective changes. The mood is deliberately downbeat on Spirit On Parole, but it doesn't feel forced or unnatural at all. Bjorklund's timid vocal style is not as off-putting as you might think. He sings in a nasal and whining tone that begs for sympathy but manages to evoke a certain charm despite its ostentation. Cobolt sounds like a more organic version of Nowhere-era Ride, particularly the way Bjorklund accents his syllables, but the music in no way resembles Ride's layered wash of sound, instead it ebbs and flows majestically. The sleeping giant seems to wake up on "Great American Lies", but the band never busts out of its plodding tempo, which is, perhaps, a deliberate attempt to distance itself from the Refused's abrasive image. "Sad Songs Of Love" adds a country-tinged riff to an otherwise tame ballad. All of these songs are ballads of sorts- couched in dark arpeggios and labored histrionics, but Cobolt pulls it off well. The comparisons to Slint and Codeine are lazy- this music is far more accomplished and dynamic. Spirit On Parole's one-sided emotional spectrum is stifling at first. As a whole, this album is overwhelmingly maudlin, but, taken in spurts, the songs ring out beautifully. Cobolt clearly has the formula for angst-ridden ballads down pat, mixing unconventional indie rock with singer-songwriter cliches. The result is solid and engrossing, if you're in the mood. Personally, I prefer the energy and raucous abandon of what I've heard from the Refused, but this will kill a dreary night just as well."

So Much Versitality Displayed

Deacon Smith | Santa Cruz, California USA | 12/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I decided to check out Cobolt because I was left wanting more after Refused died. Actually, I didn't know what to expect from some guys who had just finished creating the most ground breaking and influencial album I've heard. Also, without Dennis Lyxzen pumping out the volcals, how could it move me as deeply? I've gotta say that Cobolt found a way to prosper aand have life after Refused. SPIRIT ON PAROLE is an amazingly beautiful album. The "slow Rock" that is produced from the x-members of Refused is extremely soothing and inspiring music. There is also a very romantic feel to the album. The last song, DIMIUENDO is very heart felt and romantic. GREAT AMERICAN LIES is one of the more positive sounding tracks of the album. In short, you need to check this cd because it's amazing!"