Review:

on 2011-07-19 Chavey Said:

What is it with paper planes lately? After a fall full of oragami M.I.A. style it seemed as if the world wouldnt stomach any more, and yet here it is, the first single off of Im From Barcelonas new album Who Killed Harry Houdini is none other than Paper Planes. Although front-man Emanuel Lundgren is referring to a much more literal plane than M.I.A.s metaphorical message, it still feels a little too soon to be pulling out the printer paper again. Fortunately, the rest of the album forgets the flying paper and moves on to some crazy, creative subjects.

The second album follows in the footsteps of the bands 2006 debut Let Me Introduce My Friends, producing sing-a-long worthy, toe-tap inducing, indie pop anthems. Its an accessible indie sound, or pop with some sort of personality disorder. The tracks leap from standard pop to indie rock to experimental and back, but the constant that holds it all together is the bands trademark playful, childlike vibe. This is especially evident on Who Killed Harry Houdini. The songs focus on magic and mystery from a very childlike perspective. This fantasyland is created lyrically and supported by the happy-go-lucky melodies and steady beats, lending an endearing quality to the album.

Beginning with Andy, a song (oddly enough) about a boy in a band, ambivalent about the world of showbiz and ending with Rufus, a three-part dynamic piece about a 10 foot silver Labrador, the album is a crazy dream sequence. In Paper Planes Lundgren throws paper planes to clear his mind in a room full of strangers, an escapist sentiment echoed in Headphones, which he explains can take me anywhere I want / I put my records on / you can shake your head and turn around ... / now Im gone / with my head in the clouds / and the songs theyre just dancing around.

These escapist and nostalgic themes are backed by an eclectic mix of instruments and choral arrangements. The band, at twenty plus members has everything from the usual guitar, drums and keyboard combination, to accordion and mandolin. The credit list is almost laughable. You know youre baller when you have members like Marcus Carlholt: vocals and costumes, Martin Alfredsson: sythesizers and glockenspiel, and Johan Viking: instrument ?. It sounds more like a musically inclined co-op than a band.

Gunhild features the French singer Soko, and serves as the one true ballad of the album. Using experimental sounds, sustained synth strings, and sparse piano, Soko and Lundgren plead I know that you are hiding in there can I let you out? / and if I let you out is it ok if I let you out? Its a simple song with honest emotion and one of the best on the album.


And as for those Scandinavian names, its obvious the band name is a fallacy. Im From Barcelona" is not, in fact, from northeastern Spain but from Jonkoping, a small industrial town in Sweden. They join fellow Swedes Lykke Li and Ingrid Michelson, artists with a blend of indie pop, quirky personality, and an overall happy-go-lucky sound. As for Who Killed Harry Houdini, it still remains a mystery how the famed magician kicked it, but its clear that Im From Barcelona have stolen a few of his tricks and delivered a feel good, fantastical album.

Not Rated

on 2008-11-13 mountaloha Said:

Another fun album. The lyrics are the best part. I found myself listening to every song and dying to sing along. A lot of uptempo energy and borderline funny lyrics make this a must listen.
Rating: 8/10