Search - Melpo Mene :: Holes

Hauntingly pleasant echoes of upbeat "Rice/E Smith" simplici

I. M. Shields | 05/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this album, but let me tell you why. It is both familiar and fresh.



This is a wonderful album from the Swedish indie songster Erik Mattiasson and has definitely been channeling some Elliot Smith and Damien Rice. It has all the weary simplicity of these two great artists. Erik Mattiasson is definitely in the vein of Rice, Smith and Oberst - but he manages to pull off optimistic without being childishly trite. Tracks like "Good with Mothers", "To be Someone" and "I should get away" have an alluring familiarity that feel like ghost tracks on some of my favorite albums. Its comforting.



BUT there are definitely fresh moments that remind me this is an artist on its own no matter how familiar it sounds - "Tropical Island" had a sexy lounge feel that was subtle yet perfectly placed. "Hello Benjamin" is my favorite it dances around the of line dark, catchy and simple (maybe some mod?) in a way that I can't really think of a proper peer. "Don't save me" is another excellent track.



If you can't get the whole album - which I HIGHLY recommend - you must have:



Hello Benjamin

Don't save me

To be someone

Dream about me

"