One of the strengths
of Series Two's releases is their brevity. This isn't intended as an
affront; each CDR that Christopher puts out serves as a titillating
glimpse at a band or artist at a certain point in time. Since most
releases are bare-boned, lo-fi adventures, it is essential that they
be concise and to the point.
Johan Cederberg's
Selected Recordings 2004-2006 is just that - a tidy
collection of bedroom electro-pop songs, fuelled by hushed vocals, acoustic
guitars, and well-placed electronics. As is often the case with Series
Two's nuggets, there is significant talent on offer here;
Cederberg's brand of pop is a moody, cerebral sort, as on the
fabulously post-rock-ish, Notwist-influenced"Moonmonths"
and the hauntingly mellow "In a War." Unlike many similar bedroom
outings, Cederberg's use of electronics primarily benefits
the proceedings, with appropriate rhythms, samples, and associated
atmospherics. I really dig the laidback groove of "Drop" and the
trip-hoppy "Explosions." Meanwhile, "Are You Awake?" is based on a
sample from Tangerine Dream's "Love on a Train" from the
Risky Business score; a bit of a rip-off, but the effect is
nice.
The bulk of this
album has a sort of basement Notwist vibe, which is fine by
me. As unpolished as a collection of lo-fi recordings would be
expected to be, Cederberg's effort is a promising and
remarkably engaging journey unto itself.