After getting a massive hit in their native country with "Stone Me Into the Groove," the public and critics were curious about the first full-length album from
Atomic Swing. And they were not disappointed. The critics were overwhelmed and the public bought the album, which lead to another smash hit for the quartet. This may the best Swedish debut album of all time, but what is it that makes it so good? Well, first of all, Frisk's pop songs are adorable, often with quite complicated chord progressions. The band is also very competent, with Frisk being an excellent guitarist and bassist Dahlstrom playing in the same melodic way that
Andy Rourke (
the Smiths) did. And last but not least: the record has a very wide range of moods, from the joyous "Smile" and "Stone Me Into the Groove" to the melancholy "Carnival Stall" and "From Venus Back to Everyday." All in al, this is an excellent record, heavily influenced by the '70s and a slight influence also from the '60s psychedelic pop era, most notably in "The Weird Years of Gentle Chill." And it was to be another year till Frisk discovered soul music and gave it a place in
Atomic Swing -- and that was the beginning of the end. ~ Tommy Gunnarsson