Those Dancing Days give you nightmares (and daydreams)
- Mar 15, 2011
The world of rock 'n' roll is usually considered a gritty, cut-throat and frequently male-dominated. Not the natural territory then for five sweet girls from Sweden. Those Dancing Days first launched themselves into the fray in 2008 with debut 'In Our Space Hero Suits'. A glistening piece of pop-rock, it was a youthful release with a heck of a lot of promise. Jump up to 2011, follow-up album 'Daydreams and Nightmares certainly delivers on this.
The essence of their early material continues on this follow-up. There is still a heavy dose of jangly pop tones, with the same daydream lyrics that still ooze youthful optimism. Daydreams and Nightmares expands on this however by adding some extra musical depth. More experience has seen the band grow in skill and become a tighter unit. Listening to the ambient 'Dream about me', it's clear to hear the drumming is tighter, the singing more emotive and the guitar parts more developed and expressed.
Strong emphasis has also been placed on the role of keyboards in the band. 'Reaching Forward' in particular points at a new synthy direction before descending into the style of a Bloc Party-ish romp (their label mates incidentally). It's not too far removed a style from these girls' original identity yet adds a new dimension to their music and shows how adept they've now become.
Other high points include the boldly entitled 'Fuckarias', which shows a grittier side to lyrics as a well as a more indie rock-sensibility, and 'One Day Forever', where Linnea Jönsson's soulful and flawless vocals have been paired with the understated tones of The Maccabees' Orlando Weeks. Its an awkward-but-brilliant, hormonal-kind of track laden with teen-ish sexual tension.
Nearly all of this release is solid and enjoyable. Much of this is no doubt thanks to the guiding hands of producer Patrik Berger, who has taken Those Dancing Days' raw talent and polished it to turn these girls into budding darlings of the indie scene. Rock may be a messy business, but Daydreams and nightmares is the sound of a band ready to make an impact. A great release and things are only likely to improve.
Jon Bye
