Urrrr, I Am the Fly in the Runny Mascara
Written: Jul 11 '05 (Updated Jul 11 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Light and pleasant ambient Britpop sounds
Cons: Can be rather bland and irritating.
The Bottom Line: Pablo who?
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| dpjohansen's Full Review: Thousand Last Chances by Eskobar |
Having seen Eskobar perform live for the first time recently, I was rather impressed with their on stage presence, it was serene and poignant. I'll admit I'm not a massive fan, but my significant other swears they're the best thing since bread came sliced. I don't really share his enthusiasm, since my own relationship with Eskobar's music can run from being awe inspired, to simply wanting to throttle the very life out of singer Daniel Bellqvist. Don't get me wrong, he's an excellent singer, but sometimes, sometimes, he's bores me to the point despair. However, with "A Thousand Last Chances", Bellqvist has redeemed himself, forcing me to admit; "Hmm, yeah, this album is actually not too bad".
Eskobar, which consists of Daniel Bellqvist (vocals), Frederik Zäll (guitars) and Robert Birming (drums), were formed 9 years ago in Åkersberga, just south of Stockholm (where they now reside). In 1999, they managed to secure a deal with label V2, with their debut album, "Til We're Dead" being released in March of 2000. Their second album, "There's Only Now", followed at the end of 2001. After a significant break, their third album, "A Thousand Last Chances", finally saw the light of day at the end of March last year. And it's definitely their best release thus far. Eskobar also often like it noted that they didn't get their name from a Colombian drugs baron named Pablo.
"A Thousand Last Chances" (V2 International 2004)
Produced by;
Pontus Frisk
Eskobar's take on the more gentle side of alternative pop is pleasant enough, occasionally even beautiful. In terms of style and reference, I've seen them compared to the likes of Jeff Buckley meets early Suede, with their music also being very reminiscent of the dreamy side of the Cowboy Junkies, Chris Isaak and Mazzy Star. I'd tend to agree with that, although Bellqvist does sound uncannily like Robbie Williams at times. Particularly in ballads. Like the opening track, "Cold Night"
"Cold night" is easily the prettiest thing on the album, a quiet, eerie, country flavoured acoustic ballad that would be welcome on any Grant Lee Phillips solo album. Except, er, sang by a Robbie Williams sound-a-like suffering from Chris Isaak depression. It's light and twangy, echoy, even. Bellqvist beautifully lulls you through some complaints about the cold weather, love and loneliness. The decidedly more upbeat "Big Sleeper" is typical of Eskobar's wont for occasionally producing songs that firmly belong in Camp Britpop. It's quite catchy, yet remains quite light and sparse. Outstanding it certainly isn't, but I'd give it 8/10 for effort. A similar style continues with "You Got Me", however, this one has teeth, teeth that bite playfully around ticklish areas. The jaunty nature of this upbeat track surprised me somewhat, since it cranks up Eskobar's laid back style several notches into a meatier song, around the bridge and chorus at least, the verses are perhaps still a bit sleepy, but with an added dose of morning caffeine. Lyrically, Bellqvist complains in the opening verse of being so ugly it makes him cry, resulting in his make-up running. Firstly, he's by no means ugly, secondly, he should invest in waterproof mascara.
The mood and style changes for "Fly on the Wall", a moody, yet occasionally musically jolly country tinged jazz song. It shuffles along nicely, before you eventually find yourself unknowingly swaying along. There's finger clicking, freestyle pianos, the occasional double bass, all accompanying a husked out Bellqvist, who apparently thinks he's a six legged insect perched on a wall, watching the world go by through his bug eyes;
As a fly on the wall I believe I can see what no one else sees,
As a fly on the wall I retrieve and collect information,
As a fly on the wall I look down, on this sad little town,
As a fly on the wall I look down, on this sad little clown,
As a fly on the wall I realise, I think I know those eyes,
As a fly on the wall I see, this sad little clown is me.
Aww.
"Love Comes First" returns to acoustic balladry, again, it's pretty. I find the constant use of words that rhyme with "first" quite amusing, since he over pronounces and rolls his R"s quite enthusiastically; the words "first, thirst, burst, worse, birth, cursed, worse" each have a prolonged "urrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" sound that amuses me no end. But then, I'm easily amused, so maybe it's not that special. There's nothing remotely musically violent about "Violence". Although, I'd swear someone kidnapped Eskobar and replaced them with some obscure indie rock band. The song is the most musically experimental I've ever heard Eskobar be. Instead of their usual light and sparse sound, here, it's thick and layered with the occasional technologically enhanced vocal creeping in and usurping Bellqvists dreamy flow.
"Love Strikes" returns the album to the catchy Britpop song mood. The verses are still trademark Eskobar, sparse and quiet, but the chorus is a rush of balls. It's not full throttle, but for Eskobar, it's certainly quicker than one would expect. Lyrically it's very "Oh! I'm so lonely. Wahhhhhhh!" Careful Daniel, your mascara will run again. With "Under These Stars" we're hitting twang territory again, though not in ballad country. I like the pace of the verses, their soft, melodic sound, but the chorus loses me to a state of "ugh". The repetitive nature grinds me down to almost want to throttle Bellqvist, but the introduction of a harmonica puts me in a better mood.
A mood that is further enhanced by the swaggering "Bring the Action", now here's a Bellqvist I can get on board with. The music is moody and quite sultry in places, with an up close and husky vocal around the verses. The lyrical mood is altogether different also, with Bellqvist relinquishing his naval gazing for proclamations of self sexiness and prowess;
Bring the action to this table baby, I’m very able baby
Crazy satisfaction baby, I’m sexy action baby
Umm. Huh. Quite a change of sentiment for one who previously described himself as a fly in runny make-up, or thereabouts.
If the song "Freedom" were a child, it would certainly have the same Father as the album's gorgeous opener, "Cold Night". We have the same lone, acoustic guitar, the quiet melodic notes that echo around your head. This one doesn't quite have that certain something as "Cold Night" does, but it's still pretty enough in its own right. The album closes on "Even if You Know Me", an Embrace style anthem come ballad, which makes more use of pianos than has been previously heard on this album. It's a typical oxymoronic feel good sad song, you know, the type of song which makes you feel good because of the music, even though the lyrics are quite sad.. or maybe that's just me it happens to. However, good choice for a closer.
Although the trail of love is a very bumpy ride
Well, this album is certainly the best Eskobar have produced thus far. Mixing styles from Britpop, fusing jazz tainted country with downbeat and sparse ballads. The guitar is a major player, but pianos creep in occasionally giving most of the album quite a bright sound. But this is Eskobar, kings of the understated alternative pop song, so rarely does the album graduate beyond soft indie. Although, it appears they have tried to create an edge in their music, with slightly quicker, louder songs such as "You got Me" and "Love Strikes". No song on the album is entirely bad, most of them rate above average, with some having weaker moments like "Under These Stars".
"Cold Night" is undoubtedly the track that stands above the rest, it borders on brilliant, almost. It's just a shame that the rest of the album doesn't really live up to its standards. But overall, "A Thousand Last Chances" is a pleasant enough album that there is little to hate about, more, lots to appreciate, although occasionally it can be a little bit bland. It's nice, ambient background music on the whole.
All that said, Bellqvist ought to be thankful that my murderous tendencies seem to have disappeared, and whilst I don't share the enthusiasm my partner has for Eskobar, I can now appreciate them a little bit more than I used to. You might enjoy this if you're a fan of watered down Britpop, or even the ethereal qualities of Mazzy Star and the Cowboy Junkies.. or even if you're curious about Robbie Williams sound-a-likes. This is a good place to start for discovering Eskobar... but I wouldn't venture any further than this album, unless you discover that they really float your boat.
Cheers.
Overall: 3.75 stars
Tracks:
1. Cold Night
2. Big Sleeper
3. You Got Me
4. Fly On The Wall
5. Love Comes First
6. Violence
7. Love Strikes
8. Under These Stars
9. Bring The Action
10. Freedom
11. Even If You Know Me
Great Music to Play While: Imagining yourself as a make-up wearing insect.
All lyrics quoted copyright Eskobar
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dpjohansen
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Member: David Johansen
Location: Sverige
Reviews written: 100
Trusted by: 167 members
About Me:
One day I shall return...
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