Before and After

Artist: The Wannadies
Label: Hidden Agenda
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 795306506324
EAN: 0795306506324
ASIN: B00015HVRO

Release Date: 2004-01-13

Before and After

Related Categories:

General

| Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock

| Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Punk-Pop

| Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock

| Pop | Styles | Music

Swedish Pop

| Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Little By Little
Nothing Wrong
Piss On You
Skin
Uri Geller
All Over Me
Disko
Singalong Son
Come With Me (Till Things Get Better)
Happy
Can't Stop You
Love Letter

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Customer Reviews:

Maybe not wanna die for, but close.......2004-08-27

Another winner from these Swedes. This is the third cd I've bought of theirs; all 3 are at least 4 stars. I believe this is their first truly domestic release (through Parasol). Somewhat of a concept album, at least in the track listing. The first half is sing along pop/rock; second half more somber and and introspective. The first half is certainly superior (IMO), but the second half grows on you. I offer 4 stars by averaging first half (5 stars), vs. second half (3 stars). Also recommended; self-titled 97 release, and Skelleftea (a hits compilation). How swede it is!

The party and the aftermath.......2004-02-04

Power pop is a dirty word. Most people--including some of the musicians and artists who play it--run like hell whenever the term is brought up. They may have something: it is, after all, a little immature and very retro. But despite all of that baggage many bands continue to take the genre to new and interesting levels. The Wannadies, who hail from a town in Sweden that's not far from the artic circle, are no exception.
Rock is not very complicated. When you get down to it it's all about having fun, love, and losing love. Before and After is perfectly tailored to fit those themes. The first half the album is the fun part: the party, and the pursuit of sex. Songs like "Little By Little," "Skin," and "All Over Me" rip with energy and high charged emotion. You can almost dance to the tunes as they explode out of your speakers. Dancing is a concept I rarely associate with power pop, and yet The Wannadies manage to pull it off. The "before" part of the album has all of the tension and expectation of a big bash about to occur.
The last six songs deal with the "after" part--and again the band makes it all happen with lush melodies and clever lyrics. The last six songs are moodier and more subdued; sort of like a hazy not-so-awful hangover. While I prefer the first half of the album to the second songs like "Disko," "Happy," and "Love Letter" make for some nice listening.
The band deserves some credit for taking on this concept. This album is novel and refreshing. It's funny, intense, and kind of sad all at the same time. The song's contents will not embarrass you, or, cause you to ponder the big questions of life and the universe. It's good and simple songwriting backed up by great vocals and expert playing.

Music Album:

Music Album

Music Album

Music CD

Inside Straight ~ Cannonball Adderley Quintet

Final Interplay ~ Warne Marsh, Larry Koonse

Volume 2 ~ Frisco Syncopators

East Broadway Run Down ~ Sonny Rollins

Chips & Cheers: Blue Note Mix Tape, Vol. 1 ~ Various Artists

Danses ~ Terra Nova

Latitudes and Departures

Song of Consonance: Master of Chinese Music, Vol. 1

Lucio Battisti ~ Lucio Battisti

Mario ~ Franco