Music » European Pop Music

Hit Single Gets a Makeover for the World Cup to Celebrate the English Effort in 2002. Already a Stadium Favorite in the UK, 'hey Baby' Now Has Commentary from 'football' Matches and Has a Specially Recorded Chorus of 'we Want to See England Score a Goal'.

Until now, the Swedish group the Cardigans were easily identified by their sunny, pop-friendly, melodic releases. Fearing being typecast as an act fluffier than a Nordic lamb, the band decided to head farther north for the winter. With Gran Turismo, their fifth release, you'll need your favorite, um, sweater, because the season has turned, the atmosphere is frosty, and, indeed, the nights are long and dark. Gran Turismo is a trip-hop album following the lead of grim meisters Portishead. The CD is punctuated with distorted, muted, uncomplicated guitar riffs and keyboard effects that often sound like a harpsichord played through a fuzz box. Nina Persson's slightly aching, sleepy little cutesy lead vocals sound as frictionless as rubbing two ice cubes together. Although the skies are grayer here, the one familiar musical element is their simple yet compelling rhythm structures, as evidenced in their jazz-informed drum patterns. If the Cardigans weren't competent musicians, this album would come across as nothing more than a career-sustaining maneuver. But with this solid, dark, and intriguing release, they've clearly demonstrated their ability to compose great songs, no matter what the weather. --Beth Bessmer

Remastered Reissue with Four Bonus Tracks. CD Booklet Contains Extensive Liner Notes and Rare Photos.

Full title - 39 Minutes Of Bliss (In An Otherwise Meaningless World). 2003 compilation, culled from the Swedish garage rock act's first three albums, 'Youth Is Wasted On The Young' (1998), 'Cherry Kicks' (2000), & 'Love For The Streets' (2002), all of which are big hits. Their sound combines the Farfisa organ-drenched sound of 60's era garage rock with a contemporary pop thrust. But while 60's referencing power-pop bands are a dime a dozen, what sets the Caesars apart is their reliance on creating as much an infectious groove as adrenalin pumping rock. 12 tracks. Virgin.

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Danish group Aqua arrived on the international pop scene in 1997 with their multimillion-selling smash single "Barbie Girl." Developing a formula pioneered by their successful Swedish rivals Ace of Base and Whigfield, the band demonstrated on this album that they were more than just one-hit wonders (at least in markets outside America). Skillfully crafted for instant, easily digestible consumption, Aquarium is equally entertaining at the club or at home. It's jammed full of bubblegum pop classics, ranging from the Eurodisco opening track "Happy Girls & Boys" to the Madonna-esque ballad "Turn Back Time." A treat for all pop lovers, it is an album that will both entertain and surprise. --John Galilee

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