Kent Reviews

Reviews:

Tillbaka Till Samtiden Review
Du & Jag Döden Review by Sputnikmusic
Vapen & Ammunition Review by Release Music
Hagnesta Hill Review by Melody Maker

Kent Tillbaka Till Samtiden

Leading up to the release of Tillbaka Till Samtiden there was a lot of talk about the band going all Depeche Mode techno-ish, and after hearing the finished product I can say the comparisons are somewhat true, especially early on in the album. But Kent has never been the kind of band to simply copy another's style and leave it at that; one gets the feeling that would offend their creativity. On this album they take the 80s synthesizers and electronica and mix it with the traditional brilliant Kent songwriting to create a result definitely all their own.

Like their previous album Du Och Jag Döden, the two strongest songs are the first and the last. The opener "Elefanter" takes you on an adventurous musical journey. It begins as a ballad with a haunting trumpet but then merges into a Depeche Mode style, pumping techno-fest. Elefanter, along with the smooth radio-friendly Berlin and the hit single Ingenting make for a very strong opening trio of songs. They also reinforce the notion that Tillbaka Till Samtiden is going to be a techno album.

Another album highlight is the fifth track, Columbus. A pretty waltz-ballad, at times Columbus's synths made me recall Klaparen from Kent's last album. Sömnen, the following track, is to me more of an interlude, a chance to catch your breath, than a fully fledged song. It also sets the scene for Vy Från Ett Luftslott, a song which shifts the direction of the album further. I would have to say it has a very unique sound to it. Beginning with organ chords that then turn into swirling riffs, Vy Från Ett Luftslott creates a light and airy feeling to suit the title and lyrical theme. The song really grows on you.

Våga Vara Rädd, the next song, then moves away from the techno idea altogether, resembling something more from the Beatles than Depeche Mode. After my first few listens I found myself humming the catchy trumpet tune the rest of the day. Våga Vara Rädd reminded me more of Kent's traditional Hagnesta Hill songs such as Stop Me June.

The second last song Generation Ex would rank in Tillbaka Till Samtiden's top three songs. Here Joakim sings a duet with Camela Leierth. I've always enjoyed Kent's duets with female singers in the past, such as FF and Duett, and Generation Ex is no exception. The female voice gives the song light and Generation Ex features one of the best choruses on the album. The lyrics are also perhaps Tillbaka Till Samtiden's best.

The eleventh and last track is truly something great. The song is called Ensammast I Sverige (Loneliest in Sweden) and is easily the best song on the album, and up there amongst Kent's best ever work. An epic ballad, Ensammast I Sverige finishes off the album in the grand tradition of 747 and Mannen I Den Vita Hatten. Starting with an eerie electronic sounding riff, the song has a space-age sound that feels as if it's been produced by Vangelis. In fact, if it wasn't for the vocals it would seem to fit right at home on the Blade Runner soundtrack. The drum beat which booms throughout the entire song contrasts with Joakim Berg's gentle vocals which sing one of Kent's best melodies.

So on the whole how does Tillbaka Till Samtiden compare to other Kent albums? I would rate it somewhere towards the top ranks. Vapen Och Ammunition remains my personal favourite Kent album and to be honest Tillbaka Till Samtiden is probably not quite as good as Du Och Jag Döden. However it's still far from being a disappointment. For Kent it's necessary to keep progressing their style rather than just doing the same old thing. Given their love for Depeche Mode it was inevitable that they would make an electronic album sooner or later. Here they've done a great job of changing their sound without losing any of their great songwriting in the transition. In conclusion Tillbaka Till Samtiden is pretty damn brilliant. Or in other words: it's Kent.

Kent