LABEL: The Control Group
Videos by American Songwriter
[Rating: 3]
On their self-titled sophomore album, the Norwegian pop group I Was A King effortlessly impress you with the musical references on its 15 concise, breezy tunes- Beatles, Raspberries, XTC, Teenage Fanclub, Flamin’ Groovies, Fountain of Wayne and on. But at a certain point, you start to realize that most of these songs don’t stand out from their overflowing fountain of references because vocalist Frode Stromstad’s harmony-cushioned vocals are too bland. There are a few exceptions-“Golden Years” and “California” have some garage-y bite; “It’s All You” lets its sweeping melody emerge from a powerfully spiky piano intro. But otherwise, you’re listening to the band’s tastes more than it’s music.
are you the same Steven Rosen that sent me the autographed “Jeff beck” book way back in 1978?