The Swedes are Chris Edwards (keyboards), Phil Crain(bass), Phil Harbut (drums), Tony Dilella (guitar), and Jon Gray (guitar & vocals). The style is best described as eclectic rock. The first track
“Julie Walker” has the 70s glam vibe that brings to mind Imperial Drag, and this is a great stunner of a track with Brian May-like guitars and matching keyboard riffs. “Making Up Words” is a bit quirkier with toy piano and heavy bass line leading the way to a Queen-like melodic composition. Sometimes the vocals of Jon Gray are closer to Mika than T-Rex, with a warbling falsetto and it works on best “Patriot” a song that does a perfect Robert Pollard meets Bowie glamfest. It’s my favorite here, and a really catchy one at that. Up next, “Lava Lamp” has so many mini-melodies and different time signatures, it resembles Bryan Scary and The Shedding Tears a little bit. “Stretched Too Tight” is another marvelous melange of Queen, T-Rex and The Move. “Burning Fever” continues this formula with an added pysch-pop chorus that’s closer to Roy Wood’s Move than Jeff Lynne’s version. Things get a bit tamer later on the album, with the guitar anthem “Brixton” but no less impressive. If you liked any of the above mentioned groups, you will enjoy this music. Like Bryan Scary, a quick listen does not do it justice — it takes a few listens to appreciated the craftwork here. It’s also obvious that The Swedes are having fun with this. And I think most of you will too.
Swedes Web Site | My Space | CD Baby