The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity

“If you get a great vocal and drum sound, you’ve got a great record. Everything in between is just racket.” The truth of this bit of engineering wisdom is born out through the Cardigans' latest, Super Extra Gravity. From the opening track, Bengt Lagerberg’s drums and Nina Persson’s vocals grab you and shake you. The melody that emerges late in the first verse of “Losing A Friend,” turns an innocuous country rock ballad into a blazing farewell dirge from a person setting out on a road to nowhere. “Godspell” is a pretty standard rock tune saved by the innuendo of its hook line: “It’s not murder, it’s an act of faith,” and an offhanded reference to the guitar break of The Rolling Stone’s “Bitch.” This Swedish band has been putting out solid records for ten years now and, like their Dutch neighbors, Bettie Serveert, continue to be overlooked and dismissed in the States. “Don’t Blame Your Daughters” is reminiscent of another unappreciated pop chanteuse: Natalie Imbruglia, whose “White Lilies Island” remains one of this decade’s lasting pleasures. While alternative singers grab most of the attention, catchy pop music from literate girls who can rock often gets marginalized. This said, Super Extra Gravity is a little light in the middle. Composer/guitarist Peter Svensson needs to come up with better hooks. The opening is strong and the ending even better, but much of the material just misses being memorable. It is a nice listen, with Persson’s sexy and persuasive vocals always on this side of heaven, but is unlikely to be counted among the band’s best releases. [www.cardigans.com]