The interesting arrangements on
Louise Hoffsten's 1999 release
Beautiful, but Why? are aerated nicely by the singer's breathy, bluesy vocal phrases, but too many lifeless sonic impediments and less-than-imaginative lyrics suffocate this recording. While the Swedish blue rocker was never known for her poetic prowess, lines like "Take those fingers of fire/Melt my butter and honey/Fan my flames of desire" from "Don't Take" have just about the same libidinal properties as a pitcher of ice water poured in your lap. The same could be said for the electronic (or processed acoustic) percussion parts that, while sparse and interesting on the fine kiss-off track "Too Happy for the Blues," become tired somewhere around the record's sixth track. With a vague
Jagged Little Pill coloring -- laced with gooey self-doubt and adult pop instrumentations -- tracks like "Please Remind Me" and "Fire Is a Good Thing" sound clunky and misdirected. Clearly a foray beyond the limits of her earthier, more soulful recordings,
Beautiful, but Why? is a creative flop for the talented
Hoffsten. ~ Vincent Jeffries